Foote Blog

It is our final day in China which is both hard and easy to believe. It feels like a long time ago we were last in Beijing but also only a few days ago.

We arrived at Yali early this morning to say goodbye to our gracious hosts. Americans could learn many important lessons about hospitality from the Yali community. We were showered with gifts and "thank you's," when truly the gratitude belonged to us for all that the faculty and families did for our delegation.

Our students then gave presentations about Foote to English classes and played games with the Yali students. We then visited a music and dance class, and ended with a martial arts lesson on the soccer field.

The students reported that their second night with their host families went well. Many went out to dinner and then went shopping. All noted that their host families are so generous and they are being very well fed! Ms. Lu is in touch with all of the families and during the day some reach out to ask how our students are! 

After the assembly we toured the school's museum and saw a gift from Foote to honor the school's 110th birthday right near a framed letter from President Obama noting this milestone as well. We then attended an art class to make traditional Chinese tie-dye.

We arrived in Changsha! We were greeted at the train station by Sonia (the Yali guest teacher who was with us all fall), Sharon (one of the visiting Yali teachers from the delegation that was at Foote in September) and our new tour guide, Lisa. They brought flowers for each of us!