Bridging Cultures in Foreign Exchange Programs
Foreign exchange allows students to study abroad and immerse themselves in a new community
By Faith Martinez
Foreign exchange allows students to study abroad and immerse themselves in a new community
By Faith Martinez
Focused on encouraging teenagers’ understanding of the world, Pioneer has welcomed several foreign exchange students from around the world to take on the rest of the academic year in a new country.
Built on the goal of creating globally responsible youth, the popular foreign exchange organizations, Rotary Youth Exchange and AFS Intercultural Programs, act as a bridge between cultures, allowing students a chance to immerse themselves in a new community.
“I wish I had that when I was in high school,” said Assistant Principal of Instruction Brendan Simon. “It opens up your mind to new models of education and understanding different cultures. It’s a great opportunity to immerse yourself in our culture.”
Joelle Dorfliger, 11, came to the U.S. from Switzerland and has enjoyed the company of her peers in the new and exciting school year.
“It was easier than I thought it would be,” said Dorfliger. “I really like all the people here at Pioneer and they’re really nice, so it was easier to fit in here. The school is different than I thought. I saw high school movies and (they) are different than it is here. I wasn’t disappointed or anything, it was just different.”
Going in the other direction, Kate Simpson, 11, is currently spending a year in Belgium and has noted a stark contrast between American and Belgian school systems.
“School (in Belgium) is so different,” said Simpson. “The whole school has four floors and there are never any substitutes, so when your teacher is absent you have to go sit in a classroom quietly. It’s very different from Pioneer.”
Austrian exchange student, Mia Gatt, 11 was excited to join her exchange program and be placed in San Jose for the yearlong experience. For her year abroad, she was drawn towards the Bay Area after learning about its laid-back, vintage aesthetic.
“I was so lucky to come to California. I feel lucky each and every day, especially in the Bay Area, because as an exchange student you shouldn’t have expectations, but you can still have wishes,” said Gatt. “My wish was to go to California and to be around San Francisco because I love all the ‘90s stuff. I think San Francisco is such a good place for that. I was freaking out when I got to know that I would come to San Jose.”
Gatt also noted the difference in Pioneer’s open dress code versus her school’s formal uniforms, highlighting the social contrasts of the two countries.
“Here it’s a different style. Everybody is going (to school) in leggings. At home, nobody is going with leggings, except if you’re really lazy,” said Gatt. “Here, I can wear leggings and nobody would look at me weird. If I were to wear them at home, everybody would talk bad about me.”
German exchange student, Pascal Dumas, spent last school year as a junior in the U.S. at Pioneer and appreciates the life-changing experience.
“Going on this trip was a life changing experience for me. I left my family and friends and I was sent into a different environment. I could not have asked for a better year,” said Dumas. “I made so many new friends and now I know what it feels like going to school in a different country. I went to places I’ve never dreamed of going to, like Hawaii and LA and throughout my exchange, I’ve grown into a more mature, open-minded and grateful version of myself.”
Built on the goal of creating globally responsible youth, the popular foreign exchange organizations, Rotary Youth Exchange and AFS Intercultural Programs, act as a bridge between cultures, allowing students a chance to immerse themselves in a new community.
“I wish I had that when I was in high school,” said Assistant Principal of Instruction Brendan Simon. “It opens up your mind to new models of education and understanding different cultures. It’s a great opportunity to immerse yourself in our culture.”
Joelle Dorfliger, 11, came to the U.S. from Switzerland and has enjoyed the company of her peers in the new and exciting school year.
“It was easier than I thought it would be,” said Dorfliger. “I really like all the people here at Pioneer and they’re really nice, so it was easier to fit in here. The school is different than I thought. I saw high school movies and (they) are different than it is here. I wasn’t disappointed or anything, it was just different.”
Going in the other direction, Kate Simpson, 11, is currently spending a year in Belgium and has noted a stark contrast between American and Belgian school systems.
“School (in Belgium) is so different,” said Simpson. “The whole school has four floors and there are never any substitutes, so when your teacher is absent you have to go sit in a classroom quietly. It’s very different from Pioneer.”
Austrian exchange student, Mia Gatt, 11 was excited to join her exchange program and be placed in San Jose for the yearlong experience. For her year abroad, she was drawn towards the Bay Area after learning about its laid-back, vintage aesthetic.
“I was so lucky to come to California. I feel lucky each and every day, especially in the Bay Area, because as an exchange student you shouldn’t have expectations, but you can still have wishes,” said Gatt. “My wish was to go to California and to be around San Francisco because I love all the ‘90s stuff. I think San Francisco is such a good place for that. I was freaking out when I got to know that I would come to San Jose.”
Gatt also noted the difference in Pioneer’s open dress code versus her school’s formal uniforms, highlighting the social contrasts of the two countries.
“Here it’s a different style. Everybody is going (to school) in leggings. At home, nobody is going with leggings, except if you’re really lazy,” said Gatt. “Here, I can wear leggings and nobody would look at me weird. If I were to wear them at home, everybody would talk bad about me.”
German exchange student, Pascal Dumas, spent last school year as a junior in the U.S. at Pioneer and appreciates the life-changing experience.
“Going on this trip was a life changing experience for me. I left my family and friends and I was sent into a different environment. I could not have asked for a better year,” said Dumas. “I made so many new friends and now I know what it feels like going to school in a different country. I went to places I’ve never dreamed of going to, like Hawaii and LA and throughout my exchange, I’ve grown into a more mature, open-minded and grateful version of myself.”