Daily reporter staff reports
FORTVILLE — It has been a multi-cultural spring at Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation as a string of international teachers and students from Taiwan and Germany visit the school district. A total of 12 teachers from Taiwan and Germany and 22 students from Germany all traveled to Mt. Vernon recently as part of the MVCSC International Exchange program. The program has now grown to include multiple visitors from Germany, Taiwan, China, Spain, and South Korea.
The German students and teachers stayed with Mt. Vernon host families for two weeks filled with educational experiences and Indiana-related adventures. The Taiwanese delegation chose to stay in a nearby hotel and experienced a week of learning about the American education system and Fortville/Indianapolis attractions.
Students and teachers arrived at Mt. Vernon toured the high school, including the new turf football field.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
The Taiwanese teachers, along with Superintendent Robbins, visited Albert Chen, CEO of the Telamon Corporation, where they received a tour and lunch. Chen is formerly from Taiwan and shared with the teachers the benefits of being an entrepreneur that is headquartered in Indiana. His telecommunications company has grown into a $800 million business with 1,800 employees and 13 locations in the United States, China and Mexico.
Both the Germans and Taiwanese participated in local activities together, such as a visit to Indiana University Purdue University of Indianapolis (IUPUI). The international visitors toured the campus and learned what an American university has to offer, including living on the campus, the variety of academic classes, and the many available activities. The day was capped off with a visit to the Old Spaghetti Factory and a Pacers Game.
The international visitors also took in various activities together, such as local shopping, a lap around the track at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Children’s Museum. German students shadowed various MVHS students, and the Taiwanese took a quick tour of Carmel High School as well.
A World Language Fair at MVHS capped off the Taiwanese visit. A variety of foods and activities such as calligraphy lessons, karaoke, and chopstick games entertained and educated MVHS students and the international guests. The German group and the Taiwanese shared a traditional song and/or dance from their country on stage which drew standing ovations from the MVHS students.
The exchange students and teachers experienced an Indians baseball game, a shopping trip to Castleton Mall, and a trip to the Indianapolis Zoo. Some of the students helped host an episode of MVTV, Mt. Vernon’s in house television station. The German students were also able to experience an event that is not held in Germany: prom.
All international guests learned a multitude of perspectives about high school in America and experienced many attractions while in Indiana, and many were not ready to leave.
