LPISD Welcomes Global Exchange Students
For the third year, the La Porte Education Foundation is sponsoring a global studies exchange program that encourages cross-cultural exchanges between La Porte ISD students and students from Tianjin, China. The Chinese students arrived in Texas on Feb. 10 for several days of educational and enriching activities.
The students are from Nankai High School in Tianjin, China, and will be in the United States from Feb. 10-18. Nankai students will be staying in the homes of their La Porte “buddies”-- LPHS students who went to China as part of the global studies program in June 2009 or June 2010.
In addition to attending classes at the La Porte High School, the Nankai students will be touring the Johnson Space Center, attending a Houston Rockets game, visiting a ranch in Round Top and participating in a career day event. Before returning to China, the students will stop in Los Angeles to visit Disney Land and take a tour of Universal Studios.
“The La Porte Education Foundation is so pleased to offer these opportunities to bring together young people from opposite sides of the world,” said Terri Cook, executive director of the La Porte Education Foundation. “The week will be such a rewarding one for all of us as the students learn about one another and develop friendships that will continue to grow. We are very grateful to so many in our community who are warmly welcoming the Nankai students and contributing to the success of the program.”
LPISD Students Visit China
The La Porte Education Foundation sponsors the Global Studies Program, which sent 20 La Porte High School juniors and sophomores on a two-week trip to China in summer 2008 and June 2009, with students from China visiting La Porte in February 2009 and February 2010.
The program increases awareness of the global economy and different cultures, and participants serve as ambassadors throughout the campus and community by sharing their experiences. The Global Studies Program was one of 12 outstanding programs featured in Texas School Business’s Bragging Rights publication in December 2008.
La Porte Education Foundation board of directors member Stephen Barr chronicled his experiences on the 2008 China trip -- to read about the adventures, click on the dispatches below:
