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SCARSDALE, N.Y. A group of high school students from Shanghai got a taste of American high school and family life recently as part of Scarsdale High School's exchange program with the Chinese city.
Shanghai schools are ranked among the best in the world, according to the Programme for International Student Assessment ratings.
The Shanghai students had a pizza lunch with members of the Scarsdale student government Tuesday, Oct. 11, at the school. Asked if there is much difference between the student bodies, Jacky Jiang said there is a "big difference. Students here smile a lot. The classes are more lively. Students answer" questions from the teachers.
"At my school there is deathly silence when the teacher talks," said Tracy Shen. "Here they want you to talk."
Noting the differences in personalities, Jiang said the teachers in Shanghai are active, but the students are not. Shen agreed and said students back home are hesitant to raise their hands. "You need a group of five or six before anyone will talk," Shen said.
Shen, who plays piano, said her school does not offer music courses, although there is an elementary orchestra. Visual arts are offered, however.
Most of the Shanghai students attend boarding schools, according to Zhang Hui, so staying with American host families gives them a different perspective of life as an American teenager. She said the choice of food in the U.S. is enjoyable. Mexican cuisine, not usually available back home, has been a hit.
Social studies teach Neil Ginsberg led the discussion, even encouraging Shen and Scardale's Rachel Halperin to become Facebook friends.
"They get a chance to see what American family life is like," said Assistant Principal Sue Pepppers, who said the program has been in place for two years. "Then they come to school and shadow their host student through classes and activities."
Peppers said a group of Scarsdale students will travel to Shanghai in March or April for several days, then head for Beijng for three days of sightseeing.
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