Every year, AGHS welcomes a new group of foreign exchange students. These students learn about American culture, while also teaching AGHS students about their own countries and customs. Foreign exchange students have the option to stay for a semester or the whole year.
This year, there are ten foreign exchange students on campus from different parts of the world. Students from Germany, Norway, Italy, and Austria have traveled to AGHS. The student’s age dictates grade placement and time of their stay. This year, there are four exchange students in the junior class and six in the senior class.
Austrian exchange student, Leonie Voglgruber, is currently a junior in the U.S.A, although in Austria she is only in her 11th grade and still has two more years of “high school” to complete. Voglgruber wanted to do the exchange program because of what she had seen on social media. Her cousin, Julia Voglgruber, is currently in the US for college.
“[My cousin’s experience]inspired me because she would tell me all these stories and experiences that she had. It really pushed my dream to come to America,” Voglgruber said.
Voglgruber is from a small town called Sankt Aegidi located in Austria. She describes the weather at home as extremely hot during the summer but very cold during the winter. Snow is everywhere. When she came to America the weather difference was very noticeable. However that did not stop her excitement when she stepped foot on American soil.
“I didn’t feel like it was real life, like my dream was actually coming true,” Voglgruber said. “I never felt that this was true until I had actually [come] to America.”
Every exchange student who comes to America through Education First (EF) flies to New York before arriving at their official destination. They stay in New York for three days. While the foreign exchange students are in New York they attend classes about American culture and what to expect. The second day they have more classes, but also a karaoke and dancing night. On the last and final day in New York, they receive a tour of the city. The experiences made possible through the program led Voglgruber to realize even large and seemingly unattainable goals are possible.
“You really achieved what you wanted to do, but you can’t realize that you’re really here. It’s like you accomplished your dream,” Voglgruber said.
When Voglgruber arrived at the airport, she met her host family. Vicki and Rick Philips were standing at luggage pick up waiting for Voglgruber and another foreign exchange student, Licia Tamburini, with open arms and a balloon.
“It was so special and so nice. You meet and create a lifelong relationship with people you have never met before,” Voglgruber said. “It was scary but also very nice.”
“[AGHS] was not bad, but you don’t know anyone or the campus. Licia and I were just sitting on a bench during lunch and didn’t know anyone. It’s very hard trying to get to know people if you are shy, it also doesn’t help that every class is with new people. It makes it harder to really get to know people.” Volglgruber said.
As this year has gone on, Voglgruber has met a lot of new people and gained many friends. She’s full of excitement and can’t wait to see how the rest of the year goes.
Licia Tamburini, junior, is another foreign exchange student, originally from Italy. Tamburini and Voglgruber are staying with the same family and attending the same school. In Italy, Tamburini would be in her fourth year of high school with only the last and final fifth year to finish. Tamburini isn’t staying the whole year, but will leave shortly after the first semester.Tamburini put to light the differences between the United States culture and Italy’s.
“[America] is completely different; everything is so big. And the people here are so friendly. It’s easier to make friends,” Tamburini said.
Tamburini loves her house parents, Vicki and Rick. They recently went to Yosemite and love to spend quality time together.
“I can do anything with them even if they are 75, ”Tamburini said with a wry smile.
Tamburini views Rick and Vicki as her grandparents. They treat her with so much kindness and allow her to get the full American Dream. Tamburini is able to hang out with friends, go to sports games and travel. While Tamburini is in the US, she plans to join the wrestling team. She is already active in kickboxing.
After getting injured while practicing Judo, Tamburini found a passion for kickboxing,and is currently practicing kickboxing in the United States.
Jakob Ronsen is another foreign exchange student originally from Norway Nesbyen, a town in Norway. He is currently a senior in the U.S and is staying through graduation.
In Norway, he attended Gol Videregående for his 11th year then came here for his 12th, and will return to Norway for his last and final year of school.
Ronsen participated in football this year, as a varsity kicker. There are no football teams in Norway, so Ronsen had never played prior to coming to the United States. Ronsen enjoyed the season and was delighted to have the experience. Ronsen decided to become a foreign exchange student because he wanted something new.
“So why not go to the other side of the world,” Ronsen said.
He first noticed the difference in the weather when coming to California.
“I’m from a dark cold place. Here it’s light all day,” Ronsen said..
Over time and as Ronsen’s time in California elapsed, he noticed Americans characteristics.
“The people are more welcoming here. Norwegian people kind of just think about themselves.” Ronsen said.
Ronsen was happy to be able to meet many friends and also build close friendships with the other foreign exchange students. The hardest task that Ronsen has believed he faced so far is the American language.
Ronsen explained an encounter he had with his friends where language limited his understanding, slowly becoming immersed in his memories as he relived the experience.
“A fellow friend of mine asked another if they could get a ride,” Ronsen said.
The driver then responded with, “ya, bet get in”. Ronsen said he was extremely confused. Ronsen didn’t understand that “bet” is slang for okay, or know what his friend was saying in response.
Some factors or situations make it hard to communicate, but Jakob described how he was able to find other ways to understand and communicate. Jakob is excited to be staying the whole year and being able to graduate in America as an eagle. Although after graduation he will have to go back to Norway and attend one more year of school. Then he would finally be finished with high school.
It can be hard for a current resident living in a country your whole life understanding the trends, the language, the culture, ext. Yet not understanding the hardships that others can face when entering another country. Although, these foreign exchange students have learned and adapted over time. AGHS is very proud to be able to have these ten students attending this school, creating change and experiences in another’s life can be a blessing for each and everyone.
