Like many other high schools across America, Fauquier High School (FHS) has an active Foreign Exchange Student Program. This makes it possible for teenagers who reside in countries outside of America to have a chance to experience high school in the United States. When in the program, participants acquire an education visa and stay in America for about a year, or until your education has been completed.

Chrysi Kyrou is one of the many foreign students that has continued their high school education at FHS. Coming from a Greek background, she continues to experience many differences between the two countries. Kyrou noted that “everything here [in America] is bigger.” This is in reference to portion sizes, cities and houses.

The five different exchange students, despite all being from different backgrounds, agree that what they miss the most is their family. When in the program, the exchange students are assigned to a host house where they stay for the entirety of their occupancy. While these host families try their best to help their students feel at home, there is nothing like the comfort experienced when spending time with the people most familiar to you.

“The Land of Opportunity” is a fitting name for America, as it opens seemingly endless opportunities to those who are new to the country. For our exchange students at FHS, this can mean anything from going to your first American football game to finding out what you want to do regarding your higher education and career.

In Senior Alejandra Galarza’s home country, Ecuador (located in northwestern South America), there is less of a choice when it comes to selecting a passion to pursue. “[I came to America] because I was not sure about my career for college,” explained Galarza. She was originally unsure due to the overwhelming variety of options she now had. Galarza stated that she was considering “[studying] architecture, medicine, international relations and psychology.”

Senior Alexandrina Pavalacher came from Moldova (located in the eastern coast of Europe), wanting to “experience the culture, the education, how people here act and [learn to be indpendent.]” Pavalacher has begun this journey saying, “I got adapted very fast… trying new foods here, new places and slowly starting to make friends.”

The students at FHS have been described by the foreign exchange students as curious and compassionate. Johanna Thiel, a foreign exchange student from Germany, described her experiences. Thiel noted that, “[The students] are super interested in you. When you say you’re an exchange student, [people are] more friendly,” said Thiel.

A unique and exciting way of learning, Fauquier High School’s foreign exchange student program is thriving. This is exemplified by the multiple amazing students that are participants in the program. The future for these students is bright and the community is excited to see what they do with their experience in America.