Travelling is said to be every person’s dream. Going to a different city, state, or even country is a fun learning experience for anyone willing to take the leap and leave the comfort of home. What if you were given the option to leave for an entire school year to a foreign country, but once you left, you were not to return home until June? For the 2015 through 2016 school year, Millbrook has taken in four German students and three Italian students.

One thing most of our foreign exchange students have said they like about America so far is Millbrook’s school spirit. Go, Wildcats! Junior Annika Hoevel, one of Millbrook’s exchange students from Germany, said her favorite thing to do in America is to attend “football games at Millbrook. I love how everybody cheers for the team and dresses up for the themes.” Lisa Heinsdorf, another junior from Germany, tells us that she will miss Millbrook’s school spirit when returning home. She also tells us that she will never have the outstanding experience of post-game Cook Out because she is a vegetarian.

As we get talking more about family and the differences between America and their home country, Francesco Seganfreddo from Italy says that what he misses from home the most is school, but after returning to Italy, he will miss his host family the most.  In a totally different direction, German Exchange Student Moritz Vogel says that he misses the public transportation from his home country.

On the subject of food, there is nothing better than a home cooked meal from your home country. Francesca Sorei from Italy says that she misses food from home the most, but she will miss hush puppies when returning back to Italy. We all know nothing can describe an American stereotypical snack better than fried bread. A fun fact about her recent adventures in America are “a lot of times I say something in English, but people do not know what I am saying.” Tina Brockmeier, another German exchange student, says that she misses the bread from her home country, and she finds a big difference between Germany and America is how Americans speak and act. Last, but certainly not least, Martina Pullano from Italy says that she will miss the friendly people and the funny school wide events. Martina says, “I am happy to be here because even if there are some difficulties, I am improving myself and understanding what real problems are. I love Italy and America even if they are different, and I can’t say which one is better because they’re so different.”

No matter how different cultures can be and how scary taking this leap can be, one thing is for sure, America will stay in the hearts of our foreign exchange students. No matter if it is because of our many types of fried foods and our undying love for Cook Out, or our fantastic Millbrook school spirit, we imprint on those who stay with us for our school year as they gradually become a Wildcat themselves.