Iredell-Statesville Schools School & Family Magazine February/March 2016 | Page 7

she took to instantly.
Fei Yang, Jia Qe and Bo, were among
students who spent parts of January and
February -- straddling the Chinese New Year -in a number of I-SS schools learning American
ways; immersing in American culture; and,
perhaps especially, meeting American people.
“Kelsey,” she said of the Flannigan’s teenage
daughter, “is like my sister now.”
Also, Jia Qe added, the American air is
not something to be taken for granted either.
“We have to wear masks everywhere we go in
Beijing,” said Jia Qe, who borrowed the name
Carmello from NBA star Carmello Anthony, his
favorite player. “The pollution is very bad there,
especially in the winter when you cannot even
go outside sometimes.”
Jia Qe told the story of an American
runner who moved to Beijing.
“He thought he could run there like he
did in America,” Jia Qe said. “He was dead in
just a few years.”
Jia Qe wants to be a engineer and
perhaps own his own company. His aspiration
is to pick up a degree from Georgia Tech.
“No matter what else comes of this, the
least good that can happen is that our kids get
a taste of this culture that has always been kind
of a mystery to many of us here in America,”
said Jimmy Elliott, a retired I-SS principal who
is coordinating the program.

“And, of course, for the kids coming from
China, this will be an incredible experience,”
Elliot added. “As is always the case, our
primary concern is with the students -- from
both countries.”
I-SS Superintendent Brady Johnson
concurred.
“This really has been great opportunity
for everyone involved. Our teachers and
administrators have learned from this,” he said.
“But especially and most importantly, it’s been
good for the students from both countries.”
“Even though you hear about things
in America,” Fei Yang concluded, “it’s really
different to be here and see it. I’ll never forget
this time. Even if I come back to America to go to
university or to live, I will remember this forever.”

2017
is the Year
of the Rooster

Iredell-Statesville School & Family 5