Reflections on Chinese Student Visit

On September 26th, students from Shanghai Nanhui High School in China visited Glen Ridge High School, giving Glen Ridge the opportunity to learn more about China and engage in a global education experience. The visit from the Chinese students allowed many Glen Ridge High School students, both within and apart from the Chinese program here, to learn an outside perspective and reflect on their own lives.

Our students were able to have the exchange students “shadow” them for a day, as well as host them for a night and eat lunch with them in the cafeteria. Bryan Moussako, a tenth grade student at Glen Ridge High School who is a part of the Chinese program, had one of the visiting students shadow him for a day. Reflecting on this experience, Bryan said, “I was able to learn about a different culture. I enjoyed being able to hear what it is like to live in China, and I got to practice speaking Chinese, too.” The International Partnership of Education Research and Communication serves as the connection between the schools, and is organizing a trip to China for Glen Ridge High School students this spring. Bryan, who will be visiting the sister school in Shanghai in April, also said: “Many people dream of visiting America, and not many have the chance to be here, so I learned that I am very lucky.” 

Having students from Shanghai here allowed many Glen Ridge High School students, both within and apart from the Chinese program, to learn an outside perspective and reflect on their own lives. The visit ended with a celebration at the school, in which students from both schools concluded the visit together with performances, dinner, and celebration. Glen Ridge is lucky to be able to participate in an exchange program such as this, as it is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the world.