by Jessica Harding, Emily Arslen, and Laurie Cirelli
There are two exchange students attending Quabbin this year, Felipe Galvez from Chile, and Cesar Baca from Peru. During their stay here they get the opportunity to learn about American culture. They also gain an understanding of American high school education system, and meet American students. Existing Quabbin Regional High School students get the opportunity to meet the exchange students and learn different things about their culture. It's a good learning experience for everyone involved, according to guidance counselor, Mrs. Sousa. Exchange students stay with host parents who have other children attending the school. Host families go through a screening process by the Exchange Student Agency. Quabbin Regional High School does not have a choice in the selection process. The students that come to the program at Quabbin depend on the host family’s choice. Usually exchange students stay for a whole year and march in graduation with the senior class even if they are not a senior. When they return to their homes they continue their high school education, with a positive experience behind them. Over the past years Quabbin Regional High School has had exchange students from countries like Germany, Brazil, and the Ukraine. Felipe Galvez of Chile has stayed one year and four days. Felipe found out about the program from his parents, and thought it would be an interesting experience in his life. Mr. Galvez mentioned that it’s hard for him to adjust to America because he misses his family a lot. The family he’s staying with isn’t the same but he likes staying there. He’s made some good friends, and gets along with the American students very nicely. Felipe plays on the Quabbin Regional High School soccer team and met students at the high school. He said Quabbin Regional High School is very different from his school back home because his school in Chile is very small with only 200 students. |
