Page 5 - 張祝珊英文中學（2018-2019學生報）

I see the world

Ng Yvette (CCSC’s exchange student to the US)

After a 14-hour flight, I reached a green plain My host family and I watched the intense Once Thanksgiving was over, each and every family
with low buildings. I realized I was away from homecoming football game. Texas has a special started decorating the entire house with Christmas tree,
home, in Plano, Texas. I saw the world. tradition of girls wearing “mums” and boys wearing Christmas lights, wreath, etc. My neighbours even put up AFS Exchange Programme
“garters” which grow in size in proportion to the statues of Santa Claus, snowman and reindeer. The town
grade they are in. looked resplendent at night.
The celebrations culminated in the homecoming On Christmas Eve, my sisters and I followed the
dance on Saturday. It was held in the decorated tradition of making a gingerbread house with icing
school cafeteria. Girls generally wear knee length and leaving outside a plate of cookies and a glass of
dresses with their hair down. I made a point of milk as a snack for Santa Claus. The most cherished
sharing my own culture and values by wearing a tradition is staying home to have Christmas dinner
cheongsam. with family.

Arrival with other exchange students
It has been five months since then. An exchange
programme connects people with different cultures
and backgrounds. I am glad I have met many other
exchange students on my journey. Together we
faced challenges of school, host family, language,
homesickness, cultural shock, etc, while exploring
and experiencing an unfamiliar culture.

The homecoming dance Festive Christmas
Thanksgiving is one of America’s most treasured My family had a custom of giving and receiving
holidays and traditions. It has historical roots in presents called “Secret Santa”. Each of us left a
religious and cultural traditions to celebrate the present under the Christmas tree for a randomly
blessing of the harvest. It is now celebrated as a designated person. We also had a form of gift
secular holiday on the fourth Thursday of November. exchange called “White Elephant” at parties. Each
The United States Capitol
My family gathered to watch the televised participant was to either unwrap a new present or
With a lot of help from my host family, teachers steal another’s. These were the warmest days during
and schoolmates, I adapted to the new environment Macy’s (department store chain) Thanksgiving Day the winter break!
Parade. It is well-known for its giant balloons, which
shortly. I am very delighted to have experienced are handled by one to thirty people or even ninety
several typical American events and festivals such as people. This year there were novelty balloons such
homecoming, Thanksgiving and Christmas!
as Americana Spheres, Netflix’s The Christmas
Chronicles, Nutcracker, Sunny the Snowpal, etc. The
Parade featured live music performances by high
school and college marching bands, cheerleaders,
dancers, and the like.
Later, we prepared a common Thanksgiving
feast which included turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet
corn, squash, Brussels sprouts, pumpkin pie and
green bean casserole!

My host family
Homecoming is an annual tradition to welcome
back alumni in the United States. Throughout the
homecoming week, my high school engaged in
special dress-up days such as Meme Monday, Team Christmas gift exchange
Tuesday, Way Out Wednesday and Pajama Thursday.
We were allowed to wear clothing suitable for the The exchange programme brought me a lot
theme. On School Pride Friday, we wore clothing of new and exciting experiences. Now I see an
with our school’s name or colours. Thanksgiving feast enormous world for me to explore!

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