Imagine coming to a country alone and out of your comfort zone 24/7. 

That’s exactly what foreign exchange students have experienced over the last seven months. 

Their American experience has had some similarities. 

“Nobody walks anywhere,” was a common response to what they’ve noticed. 

In Europe, teens get places by walking, cycling or using the subway, and you must be 18 years old to drive alone.

American sports require a lot of time. That’s probably the most American experience you can possibly get here – the games, the tournaments and the serious practices. 

“It was just fun because we would get out in the middle of class. I think that’s so different because we don’t have sports in the high school in Spain,” says Nico Canals, who played tennis.

Sports is a good chance for young Americans to be able to do a sport and eventually have a future career with it. A big opportunity that most Europeans don’t have.

As for what they miss about home, it’s definitely the food.

“I miss food and my friends. But food the most,” Lilly Puls said. “I really miss my family but I also kinda miss the food.”

“The bread. I had bread several times but it’s different.”, noticed Tilde Bergmann. 

Well, America is very different from Europe in the way it works. It has a whole different vibe which is also a reason for foreign students to spend time here.

Making these experiences and forming your own opinion about places and topics is important. They’ll still spend the next four months in the States before they return to

their old lives.