Students in Lake Stevens come from many different types of backgrounds, ethnicities and countries. Exchange students, in particular, add diverse perspectives and experiences that many local students may not fully understand. Through interviews with a few students, their stories reveal both the challenges and rewards from studying in a new country.
Becoming an exchange student is a long process that requires planning and commitment. Preparing to study abroad can be very stressful while still teaching valuable life skills. By studying abroad, people can experience new perspectives, learn to navigate different cultures and learn to communicate in other languages.
Junior An Dang, who also goes by “Hannah”, is from Vietnam. She plays on the Viking junior varsity tennis team. Dang said she misses food from her home country most.
“The spice and the way they make the food is really different,” Dang said. Dang said she can taste a clear difference between American food and food from Vietnam.
Dang had to learn what it’s like to be on her own in a new place.
“Everyone was really friendly and welcoming,” Dang said.
Dang has had no issue making friends and creating new memories.
Junior Florentine Wald, who also goes by “Flo”, is from Germany. This year, she swam on the JV swim team. Since being in Lake Stevens, Wald said it has made her learn how to do things herself.
”I’ve gotten more independent,” Wald said.
She said being away from her family pushed her to rely on herself more.
Wald’s favorite experience here has been the school spirit she’s experienced.
Junior Johanna Otto (right) is also from Germany as well. This spring, she is playing on the Vikings junior varsity tennis team. Otto is a “family and friends” girl. While being independent is teaching her a lot, she misses being home with familiar faces and sparkling water! Otto loved going to the football games and all the student engagement involved in not just the sports but everywhere.
“Take every opportunity you get and go out of your comfort zone because life begins outside of your comfort zone,” Otto said.
Being an exchange student gives students opportunities to explore more while she still can.
The thing that shocked these students the most was the school spirit at LSHS. As well as all the sports and activities we have here at Lake Stevens. They said in their home country they don’t have sports and clubs like we do. They collectively talked about how much this school has to offer beyond academics.
The students also pointed out differences in our food compared to theirs. They said the flavors and preparations are not the same as in their home countries. Despite the challenges that arose with studying abroad, they said the experiences have helped them grow.
As a collective, these students were asked what are they excited to have learned here and bring home to their home country. Dang replied with the way we study. She said the hands-on experience is a lot easier to learn from as well as fun. Wald’s response was being able to live on her own and not need as much help as she did prior to this opportunity. And lastly,Otto said she’s excited to bring her new positivity back home.
Overall, their experiences show how studying abroad not only connects students across cultures, but also helps them grow into more independent, open-minded individuals who carry what they learn wherever they go.
