Patrick Henry High School students are now getting ready to begin another international connection with students at Guangxi University of Technology in China. They may also participate in joining with students in other countries, too. Students will exchange emails each week and discuss a different cultural topic. General guidelines for discussion consist of the following topics:

* Traditional holidays and celebrations:
What types of holidays are celebrated and why? Compare which holidays are the same and how they celebrate them. How do people celebrate people's birthdays? What other information can be shared about traditions?

* Food Category:
What are the most popular foods in your country?
Do you have fast-food restaurants?
Do you eat out a lot or do you usually eat at home?
Does your family eat together everyday?
What are special food that are served at special occassions?
What other things can be shared about food?

* Family life including men, women, children, & granparent roles:
Do women usually stay home and take care of the children while the men work to earn money or do women work to earn money, too? If both parents work who takes care of the children? Do the elderly live in nursing homes or with family members? What other things can you mention about family life?

* Education including the early years, teenage years & college years:
Is education required? If so, for how long? What is a typical schoolday like for a teenager in your country? What types of subjects do you study and how long is your school day? How many days do you go to school each week? What other things can you mention about school?

* Future career goals:
What type of job would you like to do in the future?

* Relaxation and fun:
What activities do you enjoy in your free time? Are you involved in any sport activities or do you watch sports? What type of music do you enjoy? Do you sing? Do you play any musical instruments? Do you enjoy reading? If so, what are some favorite books you have read? Do you watch movies? If so what are your favorite ones? What other things do you enjoy doing?

*Language:
The epals from China and other countries are writing in English to their epals which is greatly appreciated. This is a wonderful opportunity for the American students to learn some simple words in another language. How do you write:
"Hello", "Goodbye", "How are you?","I am fine", etc.
in the Chinese language or another language of your epal?
What other words or phrases would you like to learn?

If there are other areas of interest not mentioned above please let me know. This epal exchange is a wonderful opportunity to take a virtual field trip to another part of the world and learn about another culture.

Now let the fun begin!
Mrs. Pauchnick
Human Psychology & Sociology