Attending a new school is always a big adjustment.

However, for the Milford High School exchange students, that means a new school all the way across the world, with a new culture, language, and a completely different environment. 

Each year, Milford high school hosts many foreign exchange students.

This year, Milford has five exchange students (three from Germany, one from Spain, and one student from China). 

Many of the students this year are surprised by the way America functions and are surprised with the difference in the school day compared to back home.

Elisabeth Weber from Germany stated that back in Germany she could not choose her classes and that the teachers came to students’ classes, instead of students switching rooms.

“I like the change. It’s much different than back home,” stated Weber.

Kelly Zhou, from China, also agreed with Weber’s statement about the school day.

Zhou stated that here in America, students have different classrooms and different classes, but in China  students are in the same classroom every day with the same people; she compared it to elementary school in The United States.

Esther Gerbet, from Germany, commented on Milford’s school spirit.

“It’s cool to see all the school spirit here for football games and for Homecoming spirit week.” Gerbet also said that it’s not like anything back home, and the amount of school spirit here is immensely different than in Germany.

Henrike Groenboldt, also from Germany, was most surprised by the way people act here in the United States.

“I like how involved everyone is, and how into the school spirit they are,” he said. “Everyone is very friendly here. Everyone is asking about the experience, and it’s cool how interested everyone is.”

Weber is also amazed with how different the people are here compared to back in Germany.

“People are open to talking to you even if you don’t know them,” stated Weber.

Zhou also stated that everyone here is much friendlier than back in China.

“If I could describe America in one word, it would probably be friendly,” said Zhou. 

All the students were also taken back by the food here in America.

Gerbet said, “all the stuff is new” and with a laugh she stated that tacos are one of her favorite’s so far. Groenboldt commented that macaroni and cheese was one of her favorites.

She also stated that all the food here is “super-sized”, commenting that she was shocked when she first entered Cosco since back in Germany everything isn’t “so big.” 

Not only are the foreign exchange students enjoying the experience, senior Carmen Gibes is enjoying hosting Weber for the year.

Gibes, an only child, stated that she likes the idea of not having someone else around, but also the idea of having a sister. “It’s quite an experience,” stated Gibes.

“ We’ve hosted exchange students before, but this time it’s different because we are just about the same age so we get along really well.”  

Overall, the students are all enjoying their time in the United States; they love how different and friendly it is here. Zhou stated since she loves it so much here, “[she is] definitely coming back once the year ends.”