Goodrich – The first day of high school turned out to have a couple of surprises for three foreign exchange students.
From Spain, Sweden and Germany, the trio found the new high school digs an immersion in the American culture. The students have been placed at the high school as seniors and are living with local families until June.
‘They make us seniors so we can experience the proms and all of the activities that seniors get, I am really excited,? said Adriana Moreno, 19, from Spain, who lives with host family Doug and Michelle Wilson.
‘It’s interesting to see students move from class to class. In Spain, students stay in the same classroom as different teachers come in to instruct us.?
Seeing so many students in the hallways surprised 15 year-old-Swedish student Matilda Sydvart, who stays with Shelley and Matt Hart of Goodrich.
‘Our school system is completely different,? she said.
All three students, who speak English as a second language, agreed that it’s all about learning the English language better.
Learning proper English is important to German native Carolin Didszun, 16, who said she enjoys speaking English in her native country.
‘I want to be a teacher for the handicapped,? said Didszun, who lives with Linda and Rev. Kelly Todd of Goodrich.
‘My mother is a governess for a handicapped school in Berlin and when I help out, it’s something I really enjoy.?
Proud of her host family, Didszun said her host father is the pastor at a local church.
‘I have never been to church before, so when I attended Pastor Kelly’s church, I found the whole thing fascinating. Attending church in Germany is not as big a priority as it is here in the United States,? she said.
With aspirations of teaching English in her home country, Adriana Moreno hopes to gain insight from her host family.
‘I want to be an English teacher in Spain,? said Moreno. ‘All of the jobs there require that you know English.? For high school Spanish teacher Doug Wilson, being Moreno’s host father will have its advantages.
Moreno said she will be speaking fluent Spanish to the students in his classroom as they ask questions about her culture.
‘Every door will be open to me in Sweden if I study these subjects here and in college,? said Sydvart, who’s interested in math, physics, technology and science.
Geri Hammill, high school guidance counselor for the past 22 years, believes three exchange students is a good number to have for the district.
‘One year we had six exchange students,? said Hammill.
‘But if there are too many, they tend to congregate and hang out together. Then they don’t socialize with American students. Some years it’s difficult to find hosts, economics can play a big factor. It’s one more person in a household.?