Twelve Flathead High School National Honor Society students last month took a journey across the ocean to visit China.

Students and eight adults had a taste of Asian food, history and culture from Feb. 15 through 22, visiting historic sites such as the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace.

One interesting part of the trip was having dinner in a “hutong” neighborhood. Hutongs refer to alleys that lead to homes located inside walled courtyards.

“It was the way Chinese lived — in low houses without indoor plumbing,” Honor Society adviser Melanie Dardis said. She noted that residents often share one well.

Students were surpassed to learn while visiting Beijing National Stadium (Bird’s Nest) that it was filled with snow and for $20 people could go sledding.

Dardis said hutong residents might appear impoverished to Western eyes, but Chinese have lived in this fashion for centuries.

Students spent a day helping middle school students practice English at Beijing Qianmen Foreign Language School.

Dardis, who also is an international traveler, said her vision of the world is refreshed through the eyes of students traveling to a new country for the first time.

“Students have a sense they are in so many ways just like us,” Dardis said.

Honor Society students have traveled abroad for more than 10 years at Flathead.

“For many of the students I’ve had over the years, the trips have literally changed their lives,” Dardis said. “It’s made them world travelers and international citizens. It’s a great experience.”

Next year the group has set its sights on traveling to Spain, possibly with the Spanish Club.

To qualify for the National Honor Society, a student must have a minimum 3.5 grade-point average, hold a leadership position, participate in school activities and perform community service.

For more information about the National Honor Society, email dardism@sd5.k12.us.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.