Jesse Fowler Jr. had to learn to eat with chopsticks and how to say useful phrases such as "Help me" in Chinese. He's going to see the Great Wall of China and Emperor Qin's Terra-Cotta Warriors.
"I'm ready for it," said the 16-year-old Douglas High School student.
Fowler has been accepted to be a student ambassador in the People to People summer program and his family is having a garage sale to help with his tuition for the trip.
People to People provides an international educational experience to elementary, middle and high school students.
Student ambassadors are recommended for the program because of scholastic achievement.
Fowler and his fellow ambassadors leave on the 16-day trip to China on July 4. Tuition is $5,559 and includes transportation, accommodations, meals and educational activities.
Donations may be sent to: Jesse Fowler Jr., Wells Fargo Bank Account No. 9397460560, 1542 Highway 395, Gardnerville, NV 89410.
There are plans for the ambassadors to learn martial arts and prepare Chinese cuisine.
"I'm excited about going and nervous that it's so close to the time to be leaving," said Fowler.
The ambassador program has given the students guidelines on what they should bring on their trip. Fowler will bring gifts from American culture to share with his Chinese host family.
"It's polite to bring presents," said Fowler.
His mother, Diana Fowler, is Native American and will send him with beaded hair decorations and moccasins made by her family.
Fowler is the son of Jesse Fowler and Diana Fowler, who is a nurse for Dr. Evan Easley in Gardnerville.
The Fowler family has household items, toys, clothes and knickknacks in their garage sale. It begins at 7 a.m. today and Saturday.
Garage sale:
1384 Antares Ave.
starts at 7 a.m. June 16 and 17
Donations:
Jesse Fowler Jr. People to People China Ambassador Program
Wells Fargo Bank Account # 9397460560
1542 Highway 395
Gardnerville, NV 89410
