Yearly, exchange students travel all over the world from their home countries to the United States to attend school. The high school has hosted many exchange students over the years and this year, six exchange students have started school here. 

According to the International Students Exchange, foreign exchange programs started in the 1960s, with the intention of “increasing understanding between people of different nations through the common goal of promoting education and cultural understanding.” 

“We welcome foreign exchange students because I think it brings a lot to our school, and I hope they get as much from them being here as we do get from them,” Director of Guidance Todd Ryan said.

Louisa’s foreign exchange program has been going on for over 20 years. Each year, as many as eight exchange students have come through the high school. 

“We want these students to see what happens in an American public school and for our students to meet and talk about what high school is like in Spain or Italy and kind of share high school experiences,” Ryan said.

Exchange students go through a similar enrollment and scheduling process to other students transferring to Louisa from other counties and states. The foreign exchange organization contacts Ryan. Then he and the principal, Rodney Redd, sign paperwork, and a host family is found for the student. 

“The biggest difference is the person that is enrolling the student isn’t their legal parent or guardian, they’re their foreign exchange host family,” Ryan said. “There’s paperwork from the foreign exchange company that proves that the person that is enrolling the students has temporary custody of that person.”

Foreign exchange students experience cultural differences in America from their home country. Robin Hache, an exchange student, has adjusted to changes here at school that are unlike school in his home country, Germany.

“School is very different,” Hache said. “”We have school in Germany until one and here we have it until three. Classes are different and having only four classes for 90 minutes is not very common in Germany. We also have different classes each day of the week at home, so every day is different from the other days.”

Students can become exchange students for a variety of reasons. Some may want to leave their home country for a change of scenery or just to see what America is like.

“I want to learn about other countries and experience American culture here,” South Korean exchange student Ji-Won Hong said. 

Exchange students not only experience how high school works in America, but also what students do outside of school. Exchange students participate in sports and clubs and enjoy other school-related activities.

“I’m excited for the football games and hanging out with new friends there, because the people here are very open and welcoming,” Spanish exchange student Carlota Pigrau Sanz said.