Eastern Promises
Editor:
I was surprised by the tenor of Japhet Weeks’ article about the Northwest International Student Exchange project that took place locally. My family hosted a lovely 10-year-old girl named Zi Xuan from Chengdu, China, who we all grew very attached to despite lack of a shared language.
While the program was not without its glitches and challenges, and I don’t doubt that some families’, and some kids’, experiences were tougher than others, Japhet Weeks’ article focused almost exclusively on the troubles and disappointments, and very little on the importance of making connections between people of different backgrounds. Yes, the students in this program were definitely affluent, in most cases I suspect more so than the hosts. But there is something to be gained by these city kids from prosperous Chinese families by visiting rural Northern California and getting a taste of the culture here. They saw pristine beaches (by all accounts a rarity in China) and the Farmers’ Market, studied birds in the marsh and English at Equinox school, and were welcomed and looked after by people who had been perfect strangers to them.
Our guest played with my Chinese-born 2-year-old as if they’d been friends forever, and taught her Mandarin words. Her parents invited us to visit them in Chengdu. Our horizons were expanded by her presence and I think seeing an entirely different part of the world and way of life will make an impression on her and her developing understanding of the way the world works.
If Weeks had been at the send-off for the students on Sunday morning, he would have seen more than a few kids and more than a few host families in tears at having to say goodbye. Those connections are real and not token. In a time of much global tension, being good ambassadors is important. I am grateful to the N.I.S.E. program for giving us the opportunity to do so.
— Jennifer McFadden, Blue Lake
Sweet Spot: TIE GAME! Lisa Hatfield and Jen McFadden each win a Bon Boniere sundae for sending our favorite letters of the week.
→ post a comment
on the cover
Railroad!
Proposed lines ‘set rich blood a-tingling’ in early 1900s
Some Other Proposed North Coast Railroads
Choo-choo Fantasies
Exposing this east-west rail nonsense
seven-o-heaven
Undeterred Will
Will chides Andrew for lack of attention to detail and makes plans for his inevitable victory.
Today
44th Annual Kinetic Grand Championship Race
STAFF PICK / events, art, outdoors, sports, for kids, free / 9 a.m.-6 p.m. A 3-day, 42-mile kinetic sculpture race over land, sand, mud and water! LeMans start at the Noon Whistle on the Arcata Plaza. Follow the race through Manila, Eureka and into Ferndale on Memorial Day for the Glorious Finish. kineticgrandchampionship.com. 889-3024.
Flow 2012 Fashion Show
STAFF PICK / events / 8 p.m. Arcata Theatre Lounge, 1036 G St. Student designed and produced clothing. Fundraiser for Arcata Arts Institute. $35/$25 students. artsinstitute.net. 822-1220.
Woodside Preschool's Rummage/Bake Sale
events / 8 a.m.-noon. Woodside Preschool, 900 Hodgson St, Eureka. www.woodsidepreschool.com. 445-9132.
Lanphere Dunes Restoration
STAFF PICK / outdoors / 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Meet at Pacific Union School. Help remove non-native invasives at the Lanphere Dunes Unit of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Tools and gloves provided, wear work clothes and bring water. Carpool to the protected site. 444-1397.
More →
0 Comments