For nearly 10 years, GA has welcomed students from Colegio Internacional Europa in Sevilla, Spain, through an exchange program that lets students from both schools experience life in a different country. This year, GA is also hosting Bennet Linden ‘28, a student from Nicolaus-Cusanas Gymnasium in Bergich Gladbach, through an informal arrangement.
While the Spanish exchange students arrived in the US from Spain on Aug. 31 and remained in the US until Oct. 1, Linden arrived at the start of the school year and plans to remain in the US until around Thanksgiving. Together, their experiences offer a glimpse into how living with host families and attending GA helps explore American culture.
For the Spanish exchange students currently at GA, the exchange offers an opportunity to live and study in the US. By living with host families and attending classes at GA, the exchange students gained an authentic look at the life of a GA student. The exchange students are Beatriz Alonso Bermejo ‘28, hosted by Elisia Burgess ‘28; Esperanza Armenteros Hornillo ‘28, hosted by Paige Park ‘29; Jesús Marcos Merchante ‘28, hosted by Max Veraska ‘29; and Enrique (Kike) Collantes de Terán Marín ‘28, hosted by Jason Wiedemann ‘28.
During the exchange students’ time in the US, they participate in a variety of activities both at GA and outside of school, including the Under the Lights football game, a trip to New York City (NYC) and a visit to Philadelphia. They also have the opportunity to explore local tourist attractions and landmarks, and experience the culture and history of each city.
“I love New York and Princeton University so much, and visiting the Amish was interesting,” Hornillo said.
A big part of the exchange is attending GA. Rather than simply visiting the school for a day, the exchange students get to experience a normal school life for about a month by attending their own individual classes, being put into the school Veracross system, interacting with different students and experiencing the difference between American and Spanish schools.
“Also, something I found interesting was the House system at GA,” said Merchante, “It is something we don’t have and it is a nice way to meet new people, which I thought was really cool.”
While the Spanish students are participating in an established exchange program, Linden is getting a similar opportunity through a personal connection with the family of a GA alumnus. Unlike the Spanish exchange, Bennet’s visit is not an official program associated with his school, and they are not a part of this process. Instead, the connection gave him the opportunity to experience life in the United States and attend GA.
Linden arrived at the start of the school year and plans to stay in the United States until around Thanksgiving. During his visit, he is attending GA, staying with his host family, and attending clubs and after school athletic practices. For Linden, one of the most exciting parts of the experience is seeing the differences between Germany and the USA firsthand.
“I’m looking forward to everything,” said Linden. “I’m just trying to see and experience as much as I can and trying not to waste a single day while I’m here.”
For the students involved, the exchange is about more than traveling to another country. It is an opportunity to make new friendships, experience a different school environment and learn about a new culture directly. In the spring, GA students will travel to Sevilla, Spain, to experience life in Spain firsthand and continue the cultural exchange with their Spanish peers.