Today was the day that the students visit JieShou Junior High and meet their homestay partners for the first time in person. The school generously sent a bus to pick us all up. They sang karaoke along the way.
As we pulled up to the school a crowd waved signs greeting the students. The principal came out to shake hands with everyone.
Elsie gave a speech to the crowd introducing us and thanking them.
Then we all played charades to break the ice.
After charades we got on a bus to run a 3k run along the Tamsui River. I had heard that it was supposed to be a casual jog, but when we got off the bus we found hundreds of students waiting for what must be a once a year race. I’ll add photos once I get copies from the school. We had no idea it was going to be this large. I think the school has 2000 students (7th-9th grade, though I heard that’s what they call 6th-8th grades in the states). Maya was ready to compete, taking 2nd place among girls!