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Transtlate For the past two years Cameron Kenney’s family in Avon has been hosting Chinese students who wanted to learn more about America and on Friday it is his turn.
“I wanted to go back to China, get a feel of their economy, their culture, like they did with me,” said Kenney.
Kenney, 16, will join five other Avon Middle High School students and chaperones on a weeklong trip to China.
After arriving in Beijing on Saturday morning, the group will visit spots like The Great Wall and the Forbidden City.
The group will then fly to Kunming, tour the Stone Forest and drive to Wenshan to stay with host families and participate in cultural exchange activities arranged by Wenshan High School.
Like Kenney, freshman Bridget Kelley, 15, also hosted an exchange student and is looking forward to her journey.
“I want to share in the cultural experience ... learn about how teens in other countries with different governments ... and their opinions on world events,” she said.
Alex Huynh, 14, is of Chinese decent and learned the Teochew dialect from his father, who will be a chaperone.
“He’s never been to China,” said Hyunh “ and I always wanted to know the culture ... and how the education is there.”
Russell Bracchi will turn 15 during the trip and is interested in Chinese birthday celebrations and learning about the history.
“It’s more extensive there than in other places,” said Bracchi
The interests of 16-year-old junior Brian Etienne, a drummer, are more euphonious.
“I’m interested in music so, hopefully, I’ll get to learn about their music a little,” said Etienne.
On Wednesday, Chinese students from the Massachusetts International Academy visited the group.
Bo Wen, 18, has been in the U.S. for seven months and when the semester ends he will study at the University of Massachusetts-Boston.
