Homestay Interview: Guangzhou, China
In addition to English classes in the morning and activities around Seattle in the afternoon, our two-week Seattle Summer English Program also placed 22 high school students from Guangzhou, China in host families in and around Seattle for a weekend of cultural exchange. For many of our students, the homestay was a highlight of the program. Bear, a student, wrote, “The whole weekend is unforgettable and every events moved me deeply.”
Before the students left us to tour San Francisco and Los Angeles on their way back to China, we stopped by their class and asked them a few questions about their two days with their host families! Here is what they had to say:
(With this post, we would like to thank our hosts immensely for their hospitality and generosity, and we wish the Chinese students a safe trip back to China!)
Question 1: What was your favorite activity that you did this weekend with your hosts?
“We went to see the Sea Fair called ‘Blue Angel’ while we were having a really American party. I love the hot dogs!” – January
“We went fishing by the Greenlake and went to a real forest. We found some bananas slugs and caught frogs with Aurelia and Dinko.” – Hingis
“Going to the cinema, go to eat American food, go swimming.” – Ezio
“My favorite activity with my hosts was visiting History Museum.” – Joe
“My favorite activity that I did this weekend with my hosts was watching a musical play.” - Zion
“My favorite activity were swam in the swimming pool and visited in the zoo and made dinner.” – Kiwi
“My favorite activity was that we went to beach to find the starfish” – David X
“My favourite activity with my host is helping them to sell some second-hand things in order to help many cats.” – Crystal
Question 2: What did you learn or find funny about an American family?
“I learn a lot about the foods culture in America. I also played baseball for the first time in my life with them, it’s really interesting” – January
“I think the dominoes game we played was really amusing.” – Tina
“I learn how to play golf and know more about sea creatures and flowers. And I’m amusing to see many birds fly through in front of their house.” – Joy
“In my host family I learn about that Seattle is a good city, it’s very quiet and in Seattle people are very friendly.” – Jay
“My host said there are more dogs than kids in Seattle.” – Alien
“I was sitting between a dog and two cats when I was having lunch.” – Tiffany
“I learn that we should pick up the rubbishes on the ground and throw it in the bin.” – Joe
“They usually take the shower in the morning.” – Zion
“They get water from fridge, it’s cool! And their bed are very soft and comfortable.” – Henry
“I found that playing with the cats was funny.” - Jimmy
Question 3: What did you like the most about your host family?
“Diana is a great painter and Carmaig’s music makes me relax. They are really patient. Their kids are so cute! I love them all!” – Hingis
“The freedom and democracy.” – Curtis
“I like the black cats most…The black cats always give me surprise. She is cute and beautiful.” – Grace
Question 4: What was the most memorable moment from your weekend?
“I will never forget playing card games with two little boys, they were so cute.” – January
“Our shoes were wet on the beach. They were really friendly and came back home to help us dry the shoes and socks. Wow – I was greatly touched by what they did.” – Tina
“When we were standing at the bottom of the waterfall, looking up at the top of it.” – Alien
“We went to the beach and saw the beautiful sunset.” – Chris
“After dinner we went for a walk and saw a snake lying on the grasses but it doesn’t move.” – Tiffany
“Climbing mountain was the most memorably thing because we saw a deer.” – Joe
“James was a very tall and big man.” - Danny
“I can’t forget the burgers and French chips and the onion in the Red Robin. It’s cool!” – David L.
