A journey from China all the way to Shawnee is a trip that few students get to take. But that does not exclude all of them.

Senior Cynthia Shi is a foreign exchange student who travelled all the way from her home in Qing Dao, China to Shawnee, Kan. Arriving as the school year began to enter full swing, she plans to stay for the next 10 months before returning home.

“I need to introduce my country’s character to other people and I will do American activities,” Shi said.

So far, she has benefited from the experience.

“I think American people are so friendly,” she said. “You can say what you need to say. They always smile with you.”

Despite how well things have gone so far, Shi is unsure if she will return to the U.S.

“Maybe I will return to China to finish my university work,” she said. “Maybe I will return to America. I don’t know.”

But for now, Shi is happy with the program.

“I think this is a good program for me,” she said. “This is something I want to do and need to do.”