Shipping Off to Boston

(Ola)

Just as we were getting into the swing of things, we were introduced to new host families. We moved in after the Sakura festival on Sunday and have loved getting to know them. Maggie and Ivy, Abby and my host sisters, both live in the dorms at school but moved back home for two weeks to host us. Unfortunately, I am no longer able to bike to and from school as Ivy lives 40 minutes away from the school, across the Qiantang river.

Something very surprising about Ivy's family is that she has a little brother. Considering she lives in a city, I wondered as to how her family got around the one child policy. I found out that the one child policy applies to those living in urban areas, 51% of the population. Originally from the countryside, Ivy's parents are allowed to have two children. Minorities can also have two children. During this trip, I've gotten the sense that the one child policy is being severely tested. With healthcare improving, the elderly are living longer. Similar to the problem America faces with Social Security, there are not enough youngsters to support and take care of all the elderly.

On my second day at the home, I was treated to a tea ceremony. Ivy's dad is obsessed with tea and has a whole tea table set up with about 20 different pots and cups as well as about 10 different spoons for scooping tea. After drinking some oolong and some pu'er, I was presented with an extremely huge tea set of my own that I will be shipping to Sherborn.

Speaking of shipping off to Sherborn, 4 exchange students from Hanggao are coming at the end of April and they need homes! So far we've met Ari, Mickey and Jimmy. The fourth exchange student has proved to be extremely elusive as no one knows who he is. Ari and Mickey are great but Jimmy, who can be quoted as saying that he "parties during the day and works at night," is a riot. Considering I see him at school every single day, I don't entirely know what his idea of partying is.

We all have preconceptions of what a country or it's culture are like. However, you can't really understand until you talk to its people. I know that all four of us have learned a lot and have really enjoyed the experiences that come with the exchange. Therefore, I would strongly urge DS families to embrace the program and offer to host. If you're worried that you'll struggle to communicate, I can put an end to your qualms by telling you that all these kids have perfect English.