Exchange program builds bridge for students

Mathilda Beuth, Leo Gedeon, Walid Lakdri, and Lara Vakili make up some of the new students at West this year. What sets them apart from the rest? They’ve all flown thousands of miles away from their homes to study abroad.

 Beuth, a 16-year-old from Bedburg, Germany, came to help further her future career. 

“I want to become an English teacher, but I also thought of moving to America and becoming a German teacher,” she said. “A couple friends and people I know did an exchange year, and I watched a lot of American movies and wanted to know what it would be like to live in America.” 

For 16-year-old Gedeon from Munich, foreign exchange runs in the family. 

“My grandma was one of the first people in Germany who did it, and my father did it, my uncle, my aunt, and a lot of my cousins so it’s kind of a family tradition,” he said. “We spoke about it as a family and I came up with the idea to do it by myself.”

Sixteen-year-old Vakili from Hamelin, Germany, decided to study in America to broaden her horizons.

“Every student [in Germany] gets informed when they study the US in English class,” she said. “We talked about high school life and I felt curious. I was a little scared since I liked life in Germany and my life overall. I didn’t want to leave, but I thought of all the options and how cool it would be.”

Lakdari, 17, from Casa Blanca, Morocco, found his study abroad program through a stroke of luck. 

“I discovered the program randomly and I was really interested in it since it is like a scholarship and you don’t get to choose where you live,” he said.

The group quickly realized the decision to apply was one of the simplest steps in the process. Vakili recalls her struggles navigating the competitive application process.

“It was a lot honestly,” she said. “The application was a year ago during the summer holidays. I wrote the basics about me in July as well as me as a student. The second part has the organization you have to send your grades from the last year and explain why you want to be a representative. The third round was a personal talk all-day.”

Gedeon’s application process was a little more straightforward.

“I had to have a certain level of grades and I had to design a profile for myself and have a zoom meeting with other guys in the organization,” he said. “They would talk about it a little bit. I had to apply for a visa for the US.”

Lakdari put in hard work to get to the place he is today.

“It was like four stages, first is where you have to submit an application, then take an English test twice, then an interview,” he said. “It’s normally about 5% of the applicants who get through it.”

Upon passing the entrance admissions, the foreign four found themselves overwhelmed and excited to come to infamous America. Lakdari felt the pressure of being alone in a completely new environment. 

“I thought about the stereotypes when I first came,” he said. “My first impression was that America was big because I was running to through the Chicago airport. It was crowded and I was stressed.”

Beuth was excited to live a stereotypical American student life, but was quickly disappointed by reality.  

“I was excited to ride the yellow school bus and we all loved it, but I hate it now,” she said. “The first time I took the bus, I took the wrong bus and I thought I had to transfer, but I didn't have to, and I ended up at the middle school on the first day of school.”

Lakdari enjoyed the difference in the emphasis between academic and extracurricular activities and classes. 

“I’m not used to having the same classes everyday,” he said. “In Morocco, it’s more academically strict, while here it is a balance.” 

The group also discovered some strange cultural differences between America and their respective countries that left them feeling a little homesick. Gedeon thinks that Germany’s cuisine remains on top. 

“I miss the bread in Germany the most,” he said. “The bread is more crispy, and here, I wouldn’t call it bread, I would call it toast since the main purpose here with bread is to have it toasted.” 

Vakili strongly agrees with Gedeon’s thoughts. 

“You can eat German bread without toasting it and when you want to have some bread with sunflower seeds in America, they’re only on the top,” she said. “In Germany, they’re on all sides. I miss the softness of the bread.”

Vakili also can’t wrap her head around American bathrooms. 

“I don’t like the toilets and the little space between the doors because you can look through it and it’s weird.”

Despite all of the struggles and challenges that come from this wacky country, the group does not regret their decisions. Lakdari thinks he has grown from the experience.  

“I’m learning more about how to have a good relationship with people and adapt to each one and what their personalities are like,” he said. 

Vakilii recommends an open mind and flexibility for anyone interested in traveling abroad. 

“You can’t control everything and you have to go with the flow,” she said. “I didn’t want a dog at my host home, but I didn't mind. You have to deal with the things you don’t like and cope with it and manage through it and don’t think so negatively about it.”

Geodon encourages others to rely and trust others, especially in times of vulnerability. 

“If you want to try and do your best, then the people will be nice and help you,” he said. “In the beginning it was way more difficult, but I eventually got help.”

Vakili thoroughly enjoys the dynamic present at West, a refreshing new perspective in her life. 

“I really like how everyone tries to take care of each other,” she said. “The team spirit is so cool and everyone is so proud to show they go here.”

by Hannah Chung

Oshkosh West Index Volume 118 Issue 2

November 1st, 2021