Taylor Huang came to America interested in a change of environment. Taylor was interested in the international program at Donelson Christian Academy because Mr. Singer was very nice and influential by showing pictures of our campus at an educational exhibition. Taylor said that something he enjoys doing here in America is going to church. He never had any kind of experiences with church or Christianity in China. In the church, he likes that he and his host family volunteer to help others. Taylor is currently not a Christian but is excited to go back and tell his family about God and the Bible. Taylor is staying with the Inzeo family and says they are funny and welcoming. He wishes to stay in America  but if China needed him, such as if there were a war, he would go back. When he’s older he would like to do something with music.

Vinda Liang knew Taylor and said that they were best friends which was the initial reason that he wanted to come join our exchange program at DCA. He was also interested in coming to America because he wanted to learn more about architecture. Vinda says that something he enjoys about America is the food. His new favorite food is cheese pizza. Vinda also enjoys  the people here because we are more friendly and outgoing than those in China who aren't as enthusiastic and are quieter. Vinda has been staying with the Berti family, and he likes the fact that his host family plays a lot of basketball. Some day he wants to go back to China to help his father run his company and factory or perhaps something in architecture.

Evelyn Mao was interested in coming to America because she likes the culture here. She loves American television and music. She chose DCA through an agency. Evelyn originally wanted to go somewhere North, but her mom preferred her to come to the South and start at DCA because our international system was new. She thought with the new system it wouldn’t pressure her into knowing more English, and her mom felt that she would be better taken care of. Evelyn says that she enjoys the schools in America and being allowed to eat food in class. She also likes the fact that students switch classes instead of the teachers as in China. She said that our shopping is more fun and the products have a better quality than in China. Evelyn’s been staying with the Turner family and says it is very nice and likes having girls in the house with her since her sister back in China is older than she is. She wants to stay in America through college and work here for several years and then maybe go back to China. She feels like her parents probably won’t come here because they don’t speak very much English. Evelyn thinks that if she works here and then goes back, that it will be easier for her to find a job in China. She might want to do something in business because she says she doesn’t really like geography or history but enjoys math and English.