Meet our foreign exchange students

Home city: Odense, Denmark Host Family: Barbara Goldman, retired Henry Elementary counselor Grade: 11 What inspired you to become a foreign exchange student? “It is because of my mom. She was [also] an exchange student in the U.S., so she has told [me] many stories about her exchange student year. I thought it sounded really fun. My two cousins [have] been exchange students as well.�...

Home city: Galicia, Spain Host Family: Sophomore Sienna Lorenz Grade: 11 What inspired you to become a foreign exchange student? “Both of my siblings have done [the foreign exchange program] already, and their experiences were extremely positive. They both had gone to the states, so I wanted to do that too.” Did you get any say in where you studied? “No, I just told them I ...

Home city: Essen, Germany Host Family: Senior Matt Zera Grade: 11 What inspired you to become a foreign exchange student? “I want to improve my English skills.”  Did you get any say in where you studied? “No, I didn’t. It was like Russian roulette: I signed up for the program, and then they decided who wanted to have me.” Is there any language barrier? “I have h...

Home City: Stuttgart, Germany Host Family: Sophomore Gianna Lionelli Grade: 11 What inspired you to become a foreign exchange student? “Many things, actually. First of all, language, to be better at English. Also, all the experiences and to meet new people.”  Did you get any say in where you studied? “No. [It was stressful] because I had no idea. Some [place] like California w...

Home city: Lille, France Host Family: Sophomore Maddy Tarter Grade: 10 What inspired you to become a foreign exchange student? “For the English and to visit America.” Did you get any say in where you exchanged to? “No.” Is there any language barrier? “Yeah, because sometimes people speak very fast, and I don't understand that. [Now,] I understand better.” What...

Home city: near Braman, Germany Host Family: Freshman Kendra Pinkard Grade: 11 What inspired you to become a foreign exchange student? “My siblings and mother already did their exchange here, and they were all pretty happy about that choice. My mother, sister and brother went near Detroit, Mich., and my other brother went to Minnesota.”  Did you get any say in where you studied...

Home city: Hong Kong, China Host family: Kwok’s grandparents Grade: 10 What inspired you to become a foreign exchange student? “My mom decided for me. She knows a lot and understands what I want, so I’m okay with the decision. [Also,] I came to study here because my parents want me to study outside Hong Kong and since I have [a] U.S. citizenship and my mom studied and worked here b...