Imagine moving to a whole new country where you don’t understand the language and are introduced to a new culture. Many students all across the world go through difficulties in the place they are from that prevent them from pursuing their education. Whether it may be war, poverty, or unfortunate situations these students cannot get the same opportunity as other kids to pursue their education and develop their careers.
However, there is a light of hope for these students. Many countries across the globe started to take part in foreign exchange programs that allow them to send students to the desired country and allow them to get a better education.
Many students at Athens Drive are, in fact, foreign exchange students. For example, the senior Carlos Silvela is a foreign exchange student at Athens Drive from Spain.
“For now my experience here has been incredible, I am living with a very good family, I have met many friends who I consider to be my family and great teachers who care about their students. The school here is very different in their way of organized teaching and set structure, there is a variety of classes that you can take and choose what you want to study,” said Silvela.
These programs such as the CIEE or the ASSE are great opportunities to help students that wish to receive or learn education in a different country than their own. International students between the ages of 14 and 18 can apply to study at an accredited public or private high school in the U.S. and live with an American host family for one year on a J-1 exchange visitor visa, a program overseen by the U.S. Department of State. –U.S. News
But traveling over here to America is not the only difficulty. Silvela said,” Obviously the biggest difference is the language, but luckily I have people who have helped me a lot and have made me more comfortable.” There are other factors for these foreign exchange students that make it difficult for them to learn and adapt. But luckily there are nice and supportive teachers in Athens that try their best to support these students in order for them to learn and reach their potential.
There are many students that are willing and ready to come to America. However, the issue is finding host families for each of these students. Ever since the pandemic it has changed many families’ outlook and made everyone feel a sense of loneliness, because of this many families now are starting to take in these foreign exchange students.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic Silvela and many other foreign exchange students make their effort to come to America. According to statistics the pandemic has not really slowed down the number of foreign exchange students coming to America and may have in fact increased the number of students. “We were expecting two or three students this year because of the pandemic, but we had 10 international students this year,” said Ford, “They all were great and did really well this year.”-US News
Carlos Silvela is one of many inspiring stories of a foreign exchange student that came to America.
“For now my experience here has been incredible, I have made many new friends and have learned a lot, it really is a great experience,” said Silvela. Every year more and more exchange students are interested in coming to America, and as the number of students increases so will the interest and popularity amongst foreign countries.
Silvela who is one of the thousands of foreign exchange students that come to America every year shares his experience in coming to America.”I love America and the very nice people here” said Silvela.
