Foreign exchange programs offer high school students an opportunity to experience American culture in the family, school and community. In December, Richland County exchange students experience Christmas—American style.
Pastor Paul Lintern has been hosting exchange students through the Forte Exchange Program since 1996 and has loved every minute of it. According to Lintern, he has had the opportunity to meet and host a student from several different countries including China, Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, and France.
This year Lintern is hosting two female students, Ava Lange from Germany and Chloe Li from Hong Kong. Both girls attend Mansfield Senior High School and will be here through the holiday season.
“They are very interested in improving their English and work hard at improving and ask good questions. These young ladies are doing the exchange program the right way, sharing their culture and preserving themselves, who they are. It’s really a pleasure to have them here,” said Lintern.
“You learn something new from each student. Each person comes for their own reason. You know 15, 16 and 17 years old is pretty much the same in every culture. They are more the same than they are different,” he added.
Li shared her enjoyment of Thanksgiving and added that although turkey is not typically eaten in Hong Kong families get together once or twice a year to share a big meal. She went on to add that Black Friday was completely new to her.
“We went shopping from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m., I was so excited. I Skyped my family when I was shopping. I really wished they could experience it. We don’t have anything like that in Hong Kong,” said Li.
Other than the experience of Black Friday shopping, Li added that Christmas is pretty similar in Hong Kong with decorations and trees and gift giving. She added that New Years in her home country includes the sharing of inspirational messages meant to bring good fortune. They are written down, wrapped in red paper and given to friends and family.
Both girls also attend Richland Academy where Lange studies ballet and Li takes jazz classes.
Plans for the holiday season for Lintern and the two students included Christmas Eve dinner with Lintern’s son and wife and opening gifts. The day after Christmas they will left for Florida to visit Walt Disney World.
The most surprising thing about the U.S. according to Li and Lange is the school system. In Hong Kong, Li said that students do not move from class to class. They stay in on home room and teachers rotate as different subjects are covered and the students do not choose theier subjects. There is a set curriculum.
One main difference Li notices about American students is, as she described it, ”Teenagers here are more open, brave and say what they think.”
I was so excited. I Skyped my family when I was shopping. I really wished they could experience it. We don’t have anything like that in Hong Kong,” said Chloe Li.
