9 Pinoy students now in US to help shape ‘positive picture’ of PHL

Nine public school students from Olongapo City are now in Virginia Beach, United States for an exchange program set to show a "positive picture" of the Philippines to other countries.

Students from the Regional Science High School (RSHS) and Olongapo City National High School (OCNHS) are set to attend two weeks of classes at Tallwood High School before moving to other states, according to a news release from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday.

The DFA said in addition to attending classes, the students will also present cultural songs, dances, and short lectures on Philippine history and culture.

The exchange students from RSHS and OCNHS are:
 
  • Thea Ysobel Cortez
  • Frezniel Bien Salinas
  • Jonas Exequiel Soriano
  • John Daniel Mendoza
  • Ethan Arcelao
  • Keana McCoy
  • Via Ronquillo
  • Juliana Mendoza
  • Dainty Jewel Manuel

The Filipino students were quick to note the differences between the Philippine and US school system, with some describing the experience as "once in a lifetime" and "rewarding."

“We were able to experience classes we don't have in the Philippines, like French,” said John Daniel Mendoza, a ninth grader from OCNHS.

Keana McCoy, a ninth-grader from RSHS, said, “In the Philippines, students stay put while teachers go around to different classrooms. Here in the US, teachers move from classroom to classroom.”

For his part, Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose L. Cuisia congratulated the students for “this milestone in your young academic lives."

"I hope youth exchanges like these help build friendships between students, families, schools, and cities as well as renew and reinvigorate our bilateral ties with the United States,” he said.

All students are currently staying with foster families. Meanwhile, 10 students from Tallwood will arrive at Olongapo in June as part of the exchange program, the DFA said. — Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News

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