A year abroad offers opportunities for students to experience during their time away from their home country. Like many other schools, Howell High School has the privilege of hosting exchange students from all over the world. This year Howell is home to 11 students from Germany, Spain, France, Mongolia, Italy, Denmark, Brazil, and the Netherlands. 

These students from all over the world represent their country and their customs. Each has their own story and connections to their homeland. 

“My country is so peaceful, it just gives me peace.” Mongolian exchange student Enerel Choijilsuren, more commonly known as Grace, said. 

The exchange students came to America for many different reasons. Some wanted to come to the U.S to practice their English while others wanted to study abroad, to travel, or to just get to experience what being a teenager is like in the United States. 

“I just wanted to do something totally new. Not that I was bored in Germany but I wanted to see another part of the world because I really like traveling.” German exchange student Isa Decker said. 

 In addition, the exchange students all have things they are looking forward to doing or seeing in the United States. For example, trips to places like Cedar Point and Disney, spring break, prom, holidays, making new friends, and so much more. 

“I’m really looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas. I want to see the snow here… I’m also looking forward to graduation and prom.” Spanish exchange student Anne Cedron Lacruz said.  

Additionally, various pop culture sources like movies persuaded the students to consider coming to America. Many of the students agree that America lives up to the way it’s portrayed in film.

“Everything here is like from the movies.” Spanish exchange student Laia Raulet said. 

However, there are also many differences that the exchange students notice between their homeland and the U.S.  

            “Well, in Spain everything is much smaller… we can go walking everywhere, and here you need a car for everything.” Spanish exchange student Victoria Llanos said. 

             Another difference students have noticed is the school system itself. Howell High School offers a variety of sports and clubs that students can partake in, however, outside of the United States, it’s a little different. 

             “Obviously, the school system is very different…if you want to do sports you have to join a club and everything. It’s not being offered by the school, which I think is probably one of the biggest differences.” Dutch exchange student Madelynn Meeuwisse said.

             To get the most out of their time in America many of the exchange students take part in a multitude of sports and clubs. These include Distributive Education Clubs of America, football, cheer, drama, hope squad, cross country, golf, and so many more. 

              “I was on the golf team. Everyone was so nice.” Llanos said.

             In addition to being involved within the school, many of the students mentioned that joining sports and clubs helped them meet people and make new friends.  

“Everyone’s so much more open to conversation and meeting new people here and I just really love that.” Meeuwisse said.

Because of this, the students all agree that they have gotten to make so many memories at events like homecoming, Friday night football games, and so much more. Having created friendships inside of school and at sports, the students get to expand on their friendships by hanging out with people outside of school.  

            “My favorite memory is hanging out with Cammy, Logan, Reise, and Kayden at Buffalo Wild Wings.” German exchange student Sophia Messner said. 

With all the memories in the making, so many of the exchange students agree that living in another country is truly an impactful experience. They believe it introduces them to a different way of life in which they get to live in for a short period of time. 

“Its such a cool experience to build up a life on the other side of the world.” Decker said. 

Similarly, students highly recommend doing an exchange year to not only people interested in coming to the United States but also Americans thinking about studying abroad. 

“Advice I would give someone is just, if you’re thinking about it, just do it. You won’t regret it.” Lacruz said. 

Overall, the exchange students have many positive thoughts about their exchange year. They expressed hopes for the rest of the year as well as things they have enjoyed doing and seeing so far. 

“You know the word exchange year is not a year in the life, it’s a life in a year.” Choijilsuren said.