It was all smiles for Daniel Axford second-graders last Thursday when four exchange students from Oxford’s international program came to Daniel Axford Elementary last Thursday.

Exchange students from China, Yuan “Brook” Li, Jiamin “Winnie” Zheng, Hao “Howie” Yu, and Lin Shi answered questions from the second-grade students about Chinese culture, demonstrated a type of Chinese folk art called paper cutting, and played a popular children’s game played in China with the students called “The Eagle Catches the Chickens.”

The event was organized by Daniel Axford Chinese teacher and club mentor Min Liu and International Baccalaureate Coordinator Rita Flynn as part of Daniel Axford’s new international club.

The club is part of Oxford’s initiative to make sure students are globally-minded, much like the Oxford International Program (OIP).

“This is just to have (our younger students) do some activities to (teach them) about other cultures and other people. (We want to teach them) it’s not always about us (and) to think outside the box and with international-mindedness… we start with fun things like games to get them interested,” said Liu.

For Yu, also known as “Howie,” Oxford’s international program has been a life-changing experience. “We came to this country to gain more culture in our life. And even though (our) appearance is different, many students (we talk to) are interested about our culture. I really like to share our culture (with other) American (students) and to exchange ideas (with them),” said Yu.

There are approximately 80 exchange students from China in the OIP currently.

According to OIP Director of International Operations Jill Lemond, the event represented just one of the many educational experiences shared by domestic and international students alike through the district’s international club.

The students at OHS participate in a Global Lunch Club once a month, where international and domestic students are invited to exchange thoughts on school issues.

Together, the students have planned and executed community service initiatives such as assisting at soup kitchens and planning a Thanksgiving dinner for all OHS clubs, according to Lemond.

“Our international students really want to do more with the community and (their visit to Daniel Axford) was actually their idea during the Global Lunch Club,” said Lemond.

The students plan to participate in the Daniel Axford International Club again Thursday, November 11.