Chinese exchange students now helping tourists in Solvang

Even on a gloomy Sunday afternoon there’s still dozens of people visiting Solvang and now visitors have a new helping hand.

“Every October our 8th graders do community service projects around the valley so we thought this would be a perfect matchup where our 8th grade boarding students from China could volunteer their time in the community and provide a service that’s really valuable to the Chinese visitors,” explained Helena Avery, the International Student Program teacher for Dunn Middle School.

Cathy and Selina are exchange students from Beijing currently studying at Dunn Middle School.

They say their first day of volunteering at the Solvang Visitors’ Center was difficult but they have been learning a lot.

“I think working here is very interesting and I think helping people is very fun,” said exchaing student, Selina Ma.

“I think it’s really fun because I can help many visitors here and answer their questions but it is sometimes challenging for me,” exchange student Cathy Wei said.

Not only are the exchange students able to improve their English. they’re able to communicate with others that speak Chinese

“They’re good company and they’re eager to learn. They ask a lot of questions and they’re very helpful when someone comes in that doesn’t speak English – they can speak Chinese to them,” said Sandy McFadden, an employee of the Visitor Center.

The students’ favorite place to recommend visitors is the mermaid fountain commemorating Hans Christian Andersen, the author of The Little Mermaid.

“Well they’re local so they definitely know more about this place than we do so it’s nice to have advice from them -;like an inside look on it – I think it works really well,” said tourists Jess Galvez and Celine Castino.