Adjusting to a new school, in a brand new country, cannot possibly be easy. Foreign exchange students face this tenacious task every year–when they come to America for a new school experience.
This year, Leesville High has five foreign exchange students–Seunghui You, Kayline Theytaz, Asia Rizzini, Ainara Fernandez, and Ronja Hoelludottir.
Ainara Fernandez–from Madrid, Spain–is a junior and foreign exchange student attending Leesville High. In Spain, there are no class transitions, which is a huge difference between school in America and school back in Fernandez’s home. “So different because for example the teachers in Spain, you are in class with like twenty people and the teachers come to the class and teach there,” says Fernandez.
Students in America tend to not like the large class sizes, but when asked if there are certain things she likes about Leesville, Fernandez said, “So big and people drive, don’t go walking to other places, and so big.”
Leesville’s Italian foreign exchange student–Asia Rizzini is also a junior. Similar to school in Spain, Italian schools have the teachers switch classes rather than the students. “It’s bigger, and there are a lot of people, and we don’t change our classrooms, because teachers do. We don’t have as many sports as you have here, and we just play volleyball and that’s it,” said Rizzini.
Rizzini also said “it’s better {school}” at Leesville because she likes how the teachers are helpful, and how students are able to ask for help, unlike at school in Italy.
Kayline Theytaz–Leesville’s foreign exchange student from Switzerland — said the school size at Leesville and her school in Switzerland are similar. “Same size as mine — in my school there is like a thousand people,” said Theytaz. There are two high schools in Theytaz’s city, and the one she attends has the teachers move classes. The second school in her city has the students move classes. “At my school we have week schedule with like 45 minute classes,” said Theytaz, which is similar to other schools’ schedules in Wake County.
There are some huge similarities and differences between school at Leesville and foreign countries, but all the students are adjusting well and are acquiring the “American experience” that they came to Leesville to receive.
Hi! My name is Asis, and I am the social media editor for The Mycenaean. I am a member of National French Honor Society, the French Club treasurer, a swimmer, and a camp counselor at Brier Creek Community Center. My favorite book is Wonder by R.J. Palacio. Also, I like J. Cole and H.E.R.
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