Oskaloosa School District China Partnership Continues

Elementary age students from China recently experienced Oskaloosa. They are seen here loading onto the MCRF trams for a tour.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – Several elementary age students from China recently visited Oskaloosa and made connections with the 11-year-old students and their families.

The visit is part of the ongoing cultural and educational exchange between Oskaloosa and the Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School in Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, China.

In Oskaloosa, the students got to experience the many different aspects of the community, from the Art Center to a tram ride along the MCRF trail, along with visiting Russell Wildlife and Nelson Pioneer Farm.

The visit to the art center was enjoyable for the students and their teachers, and that is very different than what is available in China.

One of the young students said she loved Oskaloosa, and she wants to come back again.

Some of the things we take for granted every day drew some of the most attention; water fountains, the blue sky, and fresh air.

The teacher said they do not have blue skies in China. She said the sky is grey and they can’t see the stars at night. “Yesterday, some of the kids got to see the stars, and it was beautiful.”

The program is designed to help create a better understanding of global education, sharing the experience not only for Oskaloosa students but teachers as well.

As the students were boarding the trams for their tour, you could hear them giggling, taking pictures of each other, and you quickly learn, for all the many differences, kids are the same no matter where they come from.