Chinese trip bridges culture gap

STUDENTS from China are experiencing life in Britain.

They are visiting the Staffordshire Moorlands from the city of Fushun, north-east China, as part of an international exchange programme.

The purpose of this week's trip is for the 10 students and three staff from Fushun Senior High School to study environmental issues, including looking at how the two countries manage waste and recycling.

The trip follows a visit by students from Cheadle High School and Leek's Westwood College to Fushun in October, 2009.

Another aim of the exchange is to develop the relationship between the schools and to help students develop their understanding of different cultures.

Westwood College and Cheadle High School executive headteacher Keith Hollins said: "I am pleased we are making a contribution to fostering, within our communities, a tolerance for and understanding of different cultures to enable our young people to make responsible decisions in life and adopt a genuinely global outlook."

While staying with host families, the Chinese students will spend time at both Cheadle High and Westwood College, as well as making trips to visit The Beatles Story in Liverpool, the Peak District and Oxford University.