When Jiaje Wu arrived in Wareham, he found it strange that Americans pull over to the side for emergency vehicles. In China, no one does that. For Curry Zhang, the clean air and fresh water are his favorite parts of this country.

They are among 17 students from China welcomed into the homes of Wareham residents two weeks ago, becoming integrated into the school system, and touring the area. Through BostonWise, a program that helps Chinese families look for opportunities in the United States, the 10th-graders are expanding their horizons and experiencing a new culture.

While the program allows the students to practice their English, there’s more going on.

In allowing Chinese students to experience the United States, and allowing American children to question and be around exchange students, the gap between two nations gets smaller.

“In China, they’re worried that the United States is going to take them over, fight them or war. Here, it’s the same thing,” said Scott Schluter, who is hosting a student with his family. “[This is] to get kids to go, ‘Hey, we’re just people. The governments may be having these issues, but it’s not the people.’”

Henry St. Julien, a teacher and director of the Global Education Program in Wareham High School, said this is the point that BostonWise wants to make.

“I think a lot of people when they think of China, they think of competitors, as the enemy. BostonWise says, ‘No, that doesn’t have to be. We can build bridges and we’ll start with our students,’” he said.

Perhaps people think of China as being vastly different from the United States, but Nicole Stahmer begs to differ.

“We hear so much about China this, China that, and the one thing in discussing this with families – kids are kids, all around the world, no matter what,” said Stahmer, a Wareham Middle School physical education teacher.

Sarah Schluter agreed, recalling that the first thing her exchange student asked for was the Wi-Fi password.

“This is our first time [hosting a student],” she said. “I think it’s a good experience and the kids are adjusting well and they’re having fun with it.”

Stahmer brought the two Chinese exchange students that she’s hosting to a cookout at the Schluter’s house on Sunday. Before that, they were on a search for shoes, but the specific kind could only be found on Newbury Street in Boston: Air Jordans.

“Shoes are very expensive in China. But McDonald’s is more expensive here,” said Stahmer. “They said, ‘We don’t eat McDonald’s.’ They really like noodles – pounds of spaghetti.”

One of those students, Curry Zhang, is 16 years old and his favorite part of this country is “the school, because it’s so easy.”

The difference in education between the United States and China is vast. Zhang explained that in China, 9 year olds were doing math that American students are taught as 17 year olds.

“Their schooling is very rigorous,” said Stahmer. “They even take extra classes on Saturday.”

Stahmer has hosted exchange students three times in recent years and said that her current students are self sufficient and well educated. The school they come from is a boarding school, one where students leave their homes in sixth grade. Their schedules are strict: classes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. with two, one-hour meal breaks.

Stahmer and other host families have taken the exchange students to different places on the weekends, such as Plymouth Rock and the Cape Cod Canal.

Though Wareham public school administrators expected a visit from Chinese exchange students, they didn’t expect one so soon. The original host school in the area backed out, and arrangements were made on very short notice.

“In basically ten days, which is remarkable,” said Wareham High School Principal Scott Palladino. “Which certainly speaks to the generosity of our town.”

For host families the opportunity is eye-opening.

Stahmer said, “My children get just as much out of the exchange. They talk to them and ask questions and learn about their life, how different it is.”

Some of the students will plan to attend college here. Jiaje Wu, who goes by Jerry, said there are too many people in China and that his father wanted to offer him a chance to leave the country for awhile.

Wu stays with the Schluters in West Wareham. This is his second time in the country, and he’s traveled numerous times outside of China. He said he would study design, business and art. He comes from Guangzhou, the third most populated city in China after Beijing and Shanghai. With 12.5 million people, it’s about the size of Los Angeles.

The Global Education Program in Wareham High aims to bring as many exchange students to Wareham as possible. Though BostonWise has a new relationship with the school, there may be more opportunities for Chinese students to tour Wareham and vice versa.

“They needed help and we bend and accepted their request,” said St. Julien. “I love the mission of BostonWise: it’s really making peaceful coexistence.”

The students will leave early on Saturday morning and celebrate with a farewell party on Friday at the high school.