Coming to a new country is always a big challenge, especially when you have to start a completely new life in a different culture and community. This year, several exchange students at Harwood High School shared their experiences about what it’s like to live and study in Vermont.
Interviewing those students we noticed that there is a reason why they decided to do the exchange that unites them: improving their English,but going into specifics, each of them presented different reasons and expectations.
Why did they choose to do the exchange?
Most of the students decided to go on exchange because they wanted to experience something new, learn about another culture, and improve their English.
Ola Romanowska, an exchange student from Poland said that it had always been her dream. She wanted to see life from a different perspective and get to know how American teenagers live. Italian exchange student Elena Busnelli, had similar goals: she wanted to “try being an American teenager” and grow as a person.
Matheo Semmelorth from Germany thought life in Germany was boring and wanted to make new friends, while Marta Souto Naveira from Spain, said she simply wanted to do something new and exciting.
Emil was inspired by his mom, who had done an exchange in Australia. Thalia , from Switzerland, said “ I have American origins, but I’ve never felt like one and so I wanted to try to empathize”
What are their reactions to Vermont?
Interestingly, none of the students actually chose Vermont, they all found out about their destination later. Their first reactions were mixed.
Thalia admitted she was upset at first because she wanted to go somewhere warmer. “It was the only place I didn’t want to come,” she said, “but now I’m very surprised and happy.” Marta laughed, saying her reaction was, “What is this? I didn’t know anything about it!” but now she likes the safe and friendly atmosphere.
Ola positively said “Of course at first I didn’t new what is Vermont but then I heard good things about it for example good food quality, community and nature.’’
Emil was also happy, especially because the climate is similar to Sweden. Surprisingly, Matheo was the only one who said that he actually wanted to be in a place full of nature.
Elena said she believed there was a reason she ended up in Vermont, and she enjoys discovering a different way of life.
First impressions and community
All of them agreed that joining a new community is not easy. Most students at Harwood have known each other for years, which can make it difficult at first.
Thalia said, “You have to get out of your comfort zone; people won’t come to you.” Still, everyone noticed that people in Vermont are friendly and open once you make the effort.
Marta shared that people wanted to include her and often asked if she was doing okay. Emil found it easy to make friends because Americans are interested and curious, even though speaking English all the time can be tiring.
Parents’ reactions
Parents’ opinions about the exchange varied. For some, like Elena and Emil, their parents agreed immediately. Thalia’s and Ola’s mothers supported them, but their fathers weren’t sure because they knew they would miss them.
Marta said “Actually, the idea of the exchange was my mother’s idea, so she was in favor of it from the beginning.”
How they’ve changed
After spending some months in Vermont, most of them say they already feel more independent and confident.
Thalia said that compared to August, she feels “more social and independent’’. Matheo noticed that his English has improved a lot, and he feels a little less introverted. Ola mentioned that everything felt like a movie at first, but now she feels like a real part of the community
In conclusion
Although every student had a different reason for coming to Vermont, they all share the same feeling : this exchange is helping them grow, learn, and see the world in a new way. As Marta said, “I think exchange students are really protected because we are here to experience something new’’.
