A Welcome Invasion: Chinese Students Arrive Thursday

Mayor Jerry Fried told Patch late Tuesday that a cultural exchange organized between Montclair and China will involve Fuling and DeYang, two cities visited by Fried during his 15-day visit to the world's most populous nation in May. Some 22 Chinese students and two teachers will be coming to Montclair on Thursday and staying with Montclair families.

"During the day, the Chinese students will have some classes in English and American culture and there will also be visits to the Montclair Art Museum, a New Jersey Jackals game, and other activities," Fried said. "Montclair will be the first stop on their visit to America and will be their 'first impression' of the United States. Our hosts are very excited about the visit."

Indeed, the Montclair Art Museum will host the Chinese students and teachers on Friday afternoon for a tour at 1 p.m.

Fried said that this cultural exchange could open the door to Montclair students participating in a similar program in China next year. "It doesn't cost the Township or our schools a dime," he said.

In addition, Fried said that: "We are working out the details of a visiting student program at Montclair High School in which two groups of 10 kids would attend as students for half the year, each accompanied by teachers who would extend our Mandarin program. The goal would be for this to happen during the 2011-2012 school year."

On Monday, July 26 there will be a party for the Chinese students and their host families featuring some performances by the Chinese visitors. The Jackals game visit will be on Wednesday, July 28 at 11 a.m.

"This all came out of my trip to China and we're really excited about this and what it could lead to," Fried said.