Foreign students in our midst

May 3rd, 2010 | By: Kelsey Bowlby

Surveying the stands at a high school football game, it might be hard to differentiate one face from another. But beneath the green and silver, or purple and gold, or blue, white, and green is a diverse mix of students, some not even American.

For the 2009–2010 school year, the Issaquah School District is playing host to seven international exchange students. These students come from all over the world, from Europe to Asia to South America, and were placed at local high schools through various foreign exchange programs in their home countries with links to similar organizations here.

David Hermansson came from Sweden to Skyline High School through Rotary. Juliana Guerra, from near São Paolo, Brazil, is a junior at Liberty High school. Kati Dibowski is from Essen, Germany, near Cologne. She is a junior at Issaquah High School. Also at Issaquah are Shunya Asano and Ai Ito, both from Japan “I didn’t really have an idea of what a typical American would be like,” said David when asked what he expected life to be like here. Ai agreed. “I couldn’t really imagine what it was going to be like,” she said, “but I knew it was going to be fun and a good experience.

“American high school movies!” Juliana laughed when explaining what she thought her experience would be like. “But it’s not actually like the movies.”

Despite their lack of preconceived notions about American life, there have been cultural curves to become familiar with. One difference that David noticed right away was Americans’ displays of patriotism, such as hanging American flags or even saying the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of the school day. “It’s not really like that in Sweden,” he said. Also, new was the idea of school spirit: sports teams, school colors, and dressing up for games. “At first it was a little strange,” he admitted, “but then it’s been really fun to get into.”

Juliana agreed that school spirit was something new: “We don’t really have sports or spirit like that in Brazil. But it’s fun; I got really into it.” Family culture is different in Brazil, too. Juliana explained, “We really value our parents and our grandparents in Brazil, because your friends can change but your parents are your family and they’re who you have for your life.” There were other, smaller habits and rules to adjust to, such as taking off one’s shoes when entering someone’s home. Also, she said, “In Brazil we greet people by kissing on the cheek. You don’t do that here.” And, she observed, drivers and pedestrians here respect street signs. “Really, in Brazil, you have to be very careful even just to cross the street.” Another major difference for Juliana, coming from Brazil was the weather, with the Puget Sound region’s northern climate and reversed seasons. “It was so strange having school in January!” she said. “It was so cold, and supposed to be summer. At home at that time of year I’d be used to 100-degree weather, not 32!”

David cited one major lifestyle difference between Sweden and the U.S. that has been somewhat challenging: public transportation. “I feel like I have a lot more independence in Sweden,” he said, referencing the ease of access to trains and other modes of public transport where he lives. “Here, you really need a car to get around.”

One adjustment that all of the students have had to go through is getting used to a different school schedule and class format. In Sweden, for example, David attends four or five classes in a day that lasts from about 8:20 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. He described his school system as being more flexible and relaxed, with less monitoring and longer breaks. In Swedish high schools, students pick a program that corresponds to their interests, generally either science or social studies. The program lasts three years and consists of 30 classes, all taken with the same group of students. “It’s nice because you really get to bond with those students that have the same interests,” he said.

Juliana explained that the school schedule was different in Brazil, as well, with classes lasting from about 7:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and students staying in the same classroom while teachers rotate for different subjects. Ai and Shunya said that in Japan the setup is similar. “I prefer it here,” Juliana said. “This way your day isn’t all the same and you’re with more people.”

In terms of adjusting to a new place, all of the students agreed that you have to learn to be more open and social than you might have been. To meet new people, you have to step out of your comfort zone. Juliana explained, “You start to get more independent when you go away—you kind of have to grow up. You have to be nice to people and meet people.” And missing family and friends back home poses its own set of challenges. “For the first couple weeks it was lonely, just trying to figure out things like what to do on a Friday night. But it didn’t take long,” said Juliana. All of the students agreed that the students at all three Issaquah high schools have been very kind and welcoming.

For David, having a hobby has helped him meet people and stay busy. He is an avid skateboarder, which has helped him explore the Seattle area, and for spring break he’ll be taking his skateboard to California to visit a friend who is going to school in Los Angeles.

Kati explained that the experience of being a new student in another country has made her “more open for new things. I used to be really shy; I’ve totally changed. We have to speak to other people.”

Shunya agreed, saying that the experience has really helped him step out of his comfort zone: “You will become more friendly and brave.”

While all of the students miss home, many have visits from family members scheduled throughout the year. Also, free Internet services such as Skype make keeping in touch on a regular basis easy. Ai said, “I definitely miss my friends and family, but I still want to stay here longer!”

Most of the students have begun to feel like their host family is their family, and vice versa. “Christmas was hard,” said Juliana, “but I’m really happy with my host family and comfortable talking with them, and their kids are really nice.”

Still, Juliana misses, above all things, Brazilian food. “Mexican is close, though,” she said. “I’m always eating Mexican food.”

All of the exchange students have studied English for most of their schooling, most for at least six years. David started learning English in the third grade, and said it’s commonly spoken throughout Sweden. In fact, for many of the students, improving their knowledge of English was a major factor in choosing to study in the U.S. Juliana is interested in journalism and international business, and feels that the English competence she is gaining through her year of living in Issaquah is helping to give her a leg up toward that end. She explained, “In Brazil we speak Portuguese, which just isn’t as common internationally.”

Though they have all studied English, language can still pose its challenges. It takes a while to get the hang of jokes and slang, for example. “Sometimes someone will say something, and I don’t laugh, and then they have to explain to me why it was funny, or what it meant,” said Juliana. Also, taking classes in a nonnative language can be tricky, particularly trying to follow explanations in subjects such as math, for example, where a new vocabulary and new theories can add to confusion.

For some of the students, living abroad has been all about exposure and personal growth. “It feels good to be doing something different,” said David. “I’ve definitely gotten to know myself better being out of my normal life at home.” David said American students considering an exchange program should go for it, observing that while it’s really easy to get caught up in the progression of doing well in high school and then going straight to a four-year university and then on to working, “it’s also really important to take a break and find yourself, get exposed to things outside of what you know.”

For others, the experience of being an exchange student is about education and opportunity. “Doing something like this is the beginning if you want to live in another country,” said Juliana. “You learn not to rely on your parents, to be responsible for yourself … you have to figure out how to get around on your own.”

All of the students agreed that they have really enjoyed their time so far. “It’s going by really fast,” said David. They enthusiastically and unanimously encourage American students to look into a foreign exchange program.

Ellen Weisberg is one current host parent whose own child participated in a foreign exchange program through the Issaquah School District. She said, “When my son went from Liberty to Japan, the school hadn’t had someone go in years, and the school was so helpful working with us to make it work. It’s easy to work out grades, my son didn’t lose any credits, and he’s graduating with his class even after being gone a whole year.”

Kati encourages students looking into exchange programs not to be intimidated. “You should do it,” she said. “You shouldn’t be afraid to go to a country with a language that you don’t know.” Before moving to Issaquah, she had never left Europe. She explained that AFS, the exchange program she went through, provided a lot of transitional support: a contact liaison, various orientations (including a ski trip with other students), and workshops on culture curves and adjustments. She said one of her favorite aspects of the program is having made friends from around the world: “You meet so many people, not only in the country you go to but also that you meet through the exchange program. I’ve made like 50 friends through AFS alone.”

Juliana added, “You have to be open with your mind, because it’s going to be different, but be OK with that. You’re here to learn culture and language, meet people, and have fun.” In regard to having a good time, Shunya agreed completely: “I want to stay here. It’s fun.”

There are also opportunities for families looking to host exchange students. Paula Nocente described the experience as being hugely valuable for her own family. “From a host-parent experience, it’s just an excellent opportunity to explore other cultures and have our own children learn about other cultures and share the good things about American cultures,” she said. And as for the students they host, she said, “We really miss them when they go.”

High school exchange programs provide foreign students an opportunity for adventure, a chance to experience another place and culture, and a year of personal growth. For the host community, there is the chance to influence perceptions of American life and send students back as cultural ambassadors around the globe. For the seven students halfway through their year in Issaquah, it seems their experience of living in the U.S. has been nothing but positive.