Becoming a foreign exchange student opens up to a wide variety of exciting opportunities, and this year Griffith High School welcomes two of these participants from Europe.
Becoming a foreign exchange student requires an individual to get out of their comfort zone and be independent and moving overseas allows for a student to try new things and start over.
Living away from family can be stressful, or even scary at times, but has many benefits. Students can learn new languages, cultures, beliefs, try new sports, clubs and foods. Students can interpret their personal skills and references into choosing their country and duration for the best experience possible.
This school year, Griffith High School is hosting two foreign exchange students, junior Lina Hanke from Austria and senior Alexandra Glasova from Slovakia.
Since moving to Griffith, Hanke has participated in soccer, swimming, theater and book club, and Glasova has participated in volleyball, cheer and theater—all of which they have expressed as a substantial part of their enjoyment here in the United States.
Hanke spoke on the independence skills and character she has developed from living in America.
“I like being by myself a little bit more and experiencing what I can do myself. When you spend so much time with yourself, you will find out really who you are and what your values are.” Hanke said.
Glasova reflected on the relationships she has built while enrolling in a new school that have impacted her stay here.
“The thing that I like the most is probably the people that I [have] met here and the friendships that I’ve built. I really appreciate everybody that I [have] met so far.” Glasova said.
In addition to all the excitement that being an exchange student brings, there also are challenges. Although students that are planning on studying overseas get to choose the location and length of their stay, they are still in for surprises that cannot be controlled.
Glasova discusses the varying situations a student can be put in, recognizing that nothing is definite.
“Even though you have your dreams and expectations in your mind, you can’t just expect that every exchange student is going to have the same exchange year,” Glasova said.
Living without one’s usual guardians can be difficult to cope with, considering a new family and household must be called “home.”
“It’s very different, but you’ll adapt at some point. When you need something, you can’t just ask your parents, you have to figure it out yourself,” Hanke said.
Being a foreign exchange student is not only beneficial to a student’s academics, but also a path to self-improvement and life-changing events. Both of Griffith High Schools exchange students discuss their desire of experiencing brand new things and becoming a new person. That is exactly what they are here to do, despite any of the challenges they experience on the way.
“There’s so many differences in families, schools, and environments that you’re involved in and everybody is a different person, so you just have to face the problem and as soon as you do, you’re going to enjoy it.” Glasova said.
