“It’s a lot of fun. It’s cool to just meet someone and see what they think of America,” said senior Chris Landstrom, the co-secretary general of Edison’s Model United Nations.
Model United Nations is a class where students gain a global perspective by researching and debating issues from the standpoint of a particular country. The students, acting as delegates from a country, have to negotiate and compromise with fellow students to create solutions to issues.
“Instead of studying the history, you are studying the world events of today,” said Edison student Sam Saultz, 17.
The exchange is an opportunity to learn about a different culture and share the American culture.
The Edison students going to Bath in the spring are hosting the British students in their homes.
On Friday, the British students went to the Edison football game — the first time some of them had seen an American football game.
Edison junior Faris Barudi said by hosting a student, he has noticed similarities and differences between the American and British students.
“It’s just their whole different style of life,” Faris said.
One of the main differences is in language, he said. While both parties speak English, the words are very different, he said.
Some of the Edison students are going on a 12-day trip in March, said Brendan Patch, the Edison Model United Nations advisor.
The trip will start in Bath for a Model United Nations Conference, where the students will get the chance to stay with the British students.
British student Harry Ford, 16, said he plans on taking his host, Chris, for an authentic pub meal.
From Bath, the students will sightsee in London and York and end in Edinburgh, Scotland.
The two schools’ students have already created a Facebook page to keep in touch.
Meeting different international students and building lasting friendships is just one aspect of the weekend, said Lewis Hall, the Model United Nations advisor for Hardenhuish School.
“Hopefully, they keep talking to each other and building friendships,” Hall said.
