Every year, new students pour into York Suburban High School. Among these are freshman, students who moved, and of course, foreign exchange students.
These students choose to come to America for multitudes of reasons, with the most prominent reason being that “it is a great experience that can change your future,” according to Pietro Corti, 17, from Italy. Coming to America gives them the chance to enhance their English skills and engulf themselves in a new culture.
The chance to experience new environments is great, but leaving their families is a very difficult part of the process. The students express how much they miss their families and friends, even this early in the year.
When students come here, they have their own American family which they are with for the duration of their stay. Some students switch families at different periods in the year, while others stay with just one family their whole time. Luckily, all the exchange students said that their relationship with their American families is really fun and healthy.
Switching cultures and following the rules set for them here is a difficult adjustment for students to make. Exchange students are not allowed to drive themselves. Moving here from Spain, Roberto Munoz Tristan, 17, says that getting around is really hard. “You always need a ride for everything. In Spain we have more public transportation.”
Not only are their own restrictions hard, but these students still have to follow all the rules set for students that live here. Corti says that “the curfews restrict our freedom to go out.” Tristan backs up this point stating that in Spain, he and his friends would “hang out from 9 p.m to 6 a.m.”
Although some things here are weird and different, the students do enjoy the atmosphere of the school. Tristan says that he loves “playing soccer and supporting the school,” and Corti was surprised that “there are so many spirit days and activities to show support for your school.”
There are also many options for students who want to get involved and meet new people. Camila Grauner, from Ecuador, was involved in cheerleading in the fall and was also part of the homecoming court. Corti and Tristan both participated in soccer in the fall and look forward to seeing all the possible activities for the rest of this school year.