Normal students, foreign school
“World-airline-routemap-2009” by Jpatokal – Own work.
Almost 4,400 miles away lives Tana Onochie’s mother in Frankfurt, Germany. Letting one of her two daughters leave for a different country was one of the hardest decisions she has ever had to make.
Many exchange students have come to the U.S. in order to experience the American culture. Others purely participate for the fun.
Xaver Dienz, senior, was born and raised in Austria before coming to the U.S.
“I chose America because it was English,” Dienz said. “Here, [there] are many clichés. Some are true, like the [large amount] fast foods. I wanted to live and experience it.”
Dienz came to Minnesota through a program called Rotary, a global exchange student program. The program makes Dienz responsible for paying for airfare, insurance, travel documents, and other events, such as tours, concerts, and movies.
Unlike other programs, Rotary does not charge the student a fee for using their program. However, prices do range from program to program. For example, American Field Service (AFS) makes students pay a fee of about $15,000 to go to Norway, while a trip to Chile would cost around $12,000.
The application process is long and extensive. Rotary asks interested students to apply six to twelve months in advance before their time abroad.
“When I picked an organization, I had to write letters. I didn’t interview, but most [people] do to see if you are good enough. I had meetings with persons who looked for a host family’s, flights, and the visa,” Dienz said.
Another asset that Rotary has offered for exchange students in their program is holding weekly meetings in many different cities, nationwide, in which the foreign exchange students can attend. HHS also offers a time during TASC or Monday advisory where exchange students meet up with one another.
Counselors help students to make the change from their home to the U.S., which can be extremely hard for some. Through HHS Royal Mentors, students have helped the exchange students with a variety of tasks such as their first introductions with teachers, students, and other members of the staff. Royal Mentors help the exchange students find classes and make the transition from their home schools to HHS easier.
“The good thing is, I have Morgan Downing, [A HHS Royal Mentor,] who helped me transfer and make friends from the first day I arrived,” Dienz said.
Downing has helped another foreign exchange student make the transfer here to the U.S.: Tana Onochie, senior. Onochie is a German native who chose the U.S. out of the 50 other countries offered by the program she used.
The program used by Onochie is called Youth For Understanding, (YFU). YFU students are expected to pay for all of the expenses from airfare to food and also pay a tuition of about $15,000.
“I applied for the program [and] had a group meeting. I had to interview, type an essay, and get good grades to get accepted,” Onochie said.
In the end, both students believe that their experiences were well worth the long application process, and they are looking forward to what they will encounter throughout their time here.
“I really want to go to the Prom and gymnastic season,” Onochie said.
Being able to adapt is a key component to the application process. Students interested in becoming an exchange student are expected to do research on what programs are looking for, and in almost every exchange student handbook it says, “students should be able to adapt easily and quickly.”
The average temperature in Germany during the month of September is 66 degrees Fahrenheit, and the average temperature in Hopkins is about 56 degrees Fahrenheit. However, Onochie can feel that ten degree difference.
“I first noticed that it was cold. I’m freezing, plus, air conditioning makes it colder,” Onochie said.
“I don’t like how people don’t talk [to you] if they don’t know you. It’s like you have to fight for your friends. [It’s difficult to start] a conversation, even if you don’t want to when there is little openness,” Dienz said.
Exchange students have to deal with the cultural changes around them, but they also must learn the ways of their new school. Those changes come in many different forms.
“School spirit – I love it, We have no school spirit [in Germany] and no school sports. We only have club sports. We go to school and we go home,” Onochie said.
While students at HHS may be accustomed to a regular Friday night football game, in Onochie’s home country, football games are a rarity.
After realizing that they only have a certain amount of time left here, both are determined to make the best of every day they have here. Dienz was excited for what his time here held for him. He also wants to travel more and visit major cities such as New York City and Orlando.
Dienz and Onochie will continue to take classes at HHS until the end of the school year, making new friendships, memories, and life experiences for their future.
“Overall I’m excited for the upcoming weeks and what’s to come,” Onochie said.
