Almost every year Jacksonville High School accepts students from across the globe. This year we have five foreign exchange students, a new record that surpasses those of past years. Maren, Max, Mirela, Ylva, and José are all here to enjoy their year as an American.
Maren, from Stavern, Norway, arrived in Jacksonville on August 16. She is through the programs Explorios and ASSE. Maren wanted to be an exchange student because she wanted “a year away from Norway” and to explore America and become better at the language. Her favorite experience since she has arrived is getting asked to homecoming. (Can we say aww?) She misses her crackers from home, but so far she is really enjoying America.
Arriving on the same day as Maren, Max is here from Europe as well, just farther south. Max came through the exchange program GIVE from the capital of Germany, Berlin. Here at JHS, he plays soccer, but back home he is involved in tennis and kung fu. Max is afraid of “eating too much” and getting “too big.” (Who can blame him, right?) However, he says the classes here are easier than home and students are more respectful that his home school.
In between Romania and Bulgaria is a country by the name of Moldova. Mirela, through the program FLEX, is here at JHS. So far Mirela has enjoyed swim team and all the sleepovers that they have had together. One reason she wanted to be an exchange student was so that Americans would know that her country existed. (Let’s be honest, many of us didn’t know.) Back home Mirela enjoys dancing and “going to the art school.” Since her August 15 arrival, she has been excited about everything she will see and do.
Ylva, also from Norway but Grong instead of Stavern, arrived the latest of the five on August 31 through the Speak/Aspect foundation. Her host family is very nice to her. She said she feels “like I am a part of their family already!” Ylva was nervous to travel alone. (Who wouldn’t be?) However, she was excited to come to America to try something new. So far she is adjusting to the culture well and states that it is not much different from Norwegian culture.
As always, JHS hosts a Rotary Foreign Exchange student. This year the honor goes to José who arrived from Orsono, Chile, on August 22. So far he has enjoyed being on the soccer team and states that the adjustment to the culture has gone “really well.” José came to see other cultures and improve his English skills. He says that his host family, including his dad and all his siblings, are all “kind and a nice family.” Though he misses his friends and family back home, José still likes the Crimsons! (Go JHS!)
Most people look at an American school and see simply citizens. JHS, however, is diverse with its multitude of exchange students. As they learn from our culture, we can learn from theirs and grow international friendships that will last a lifetime!