Joy, Naomi and Joy's mom preparing to leave for the Homestay.

Alex and his friend.

Cheyenne and her family.

Eric and his family.

Holly and her homestay "sister".

Jared and his homestay family.

Kate and friends.

Rachel and her "sister".

Russell & Alicia stayed with Shiji Jinyuan School's principal,
who also stayed with Russell's family in Vermont.

April 17, 2008: Home Stays:  Naomi writes:

Nerves were so high today as we anticipated meeting our host families. We were both nervous and excited about spending the first of two nights with them.

When we first enter schools we usually go to a big conference room, today was no different. The headmaster gave an opening speech and gifts were passed out, then we were split into tour groups.

As I stood with my tour group Ms Greene called my name. Standing with Ms Greene was my host sister. I felt very fortunate because I was one of the only students who met their host right off the bat. For the rest of the day we walked around with each other, getting to know each other and calming both our nerves. I felt that getting to know her brought out the similarities between our two very different cultures.

After we were done taking pictures and touring the neighboring school we had the freedom to wander the city with our new host siblings. Joy (my host sister) and I met Eric, Henry, Emma, Kate, and Jackie along with their host siblings and went out for dinner together. This dinner was filled with the heartiest laughing I have enjoyed in a long time as well as delicious food.

At around nine we hit the mall; this was one of three malls that Joy and I passed on our way home. This was just one of the big culture shocks I have experienced today. You have to drive an hour from Brattleboro to get to a mall, yet here there were three in a ten-mile radius.

Ten pm was curfew and we took a taxi home. Even though I was tired, I really wanted to interact with my family, so I pulled out the playing cards. First I taught Joy how to play “Spit.” Then one of her friends came over wanting to meet their American. So we switched the game to “BS” and Joy’s mom also played.

After the games I was having a hard time keeping my eyes open, so I had to call it a night. I showered in the most interesting shower where the drain was in the center of the floor and it was tucked in a closet off the kitchen. Once in bed, I had no problem falling promptly asleep.

Amber and her family.

Emma and her hosts.

Henry's family, along with Russell whose American
family hosted the young man from China when he
visited the US this past year.

Jackie and her "mom" and "sister".

Jordan and her "sis" getting ready
to leave for the homestay

Luke and his family.

Rachael and her "sister" and "mom".

Scott and his "brother" and "dad".