Foreign Exchange Students Ronaldo Garcia and Mai Takechui came to America in order to experience the American dream. Photo By: Chase Holzwart
By Chase Holzwart
When an individual lives in the same place their entire life, new experiences might now take place, but when foreign exchange students step foot in America it is a new beginning.
This year Plymouth High School has gained three new foreign exchange students, Ronaldo Garcia (Portugal), Thanita Yongul (Thailand), and Mai Takechui (Japan). They all come from different parts of the world and have step foot in America to live a life they have never dreamed of. All three of these students have options to why they choose to live here in America. Senior Ronaldo Garcia said that he “had many options. Pretty much all the European countries, some Asian[s] and United States. I chose the United States because I wanted to live the American dream, and I knew a lot of people who had come here and had loved it. I was [also] born here too but I left when I was 5 weeks old so I was curious about my home land.” For senior Mai Takechui it was different. She said, “I could choose to go to Europe, Asia, and South America. At first, one of my best friends moved to America and she showed me some pictures and then I wanted to live here in America.” For Thanita Yongul, also known as Bee, she picked Germany but her parents “wanted me to go to the United States and I felt like it was the right choice! I love America!”
The three students explained that their outlooks here are much different than back home. “There are some differences between Japan and America. First, the Japanese food is more healthier than Americans. I increased my weight 22 pounds since I came here,” said Takechui. A weight difference did not matter much to Garcia, but the environment did change. “Moving from a 3 million [person] city to a 10 thousand [person] town and from Mediterranean weather to Arctic weather [has caused many] things to changed.” Bee said, “in Thailand they have school uniforms, but going to school here I take lots of time to plan my clothes out. I can never pick my subject and I study like 17 subjects per week. I used to study hard in Thailand, and I take an extra class after school till 10pm.”
While living in America, they have experienced some exciting things. Garcia said, “Being apart of the soccer team was definitely a great experience where I met most of my friends doing something I love. If I had to choose one single experience it would probably be going to Chicago.” Black Friday shopping and Thanksgiving has been Takeuchi’s best experience so far in America.
Bee Yongul participates in a new activity that she would not normally participate in Thailand; playing the piano. Photo By: Chase Holzwart
Leaving family members behind may be a tough experience for some people, but for these students it was not. Garcia and Takeuchi are able to Skype their family about once a month. While living here in America, Takeuchi is living with the Gosky family and Garcia is living with the Gadziola’s. “They are very similar to my other family which helps a lot. Their attitudes are obviously different in many things and the house rules are different too, but I believe I am doing a good job at adapting,” said Garcia. Both of these students plan on visiting Plymouth once again some day. Garcia said, “If I have the money to come back, I will. Living in a completely different country for an entire year will be someting I will never forget. I will always remember that Plymouth is the town where I had the best year of my life, where I made life-time friends, learned a new culture, gained a new family, and lived a new life.” For Takeuchi she said all of the time that she has spent here with her friends and her host family will be the best memories she takes back home. When Bee leaves in the fall, she is taking quit a few memories back home with her. “My friends, my host family, my school, the American life, band and choir, and even my crush” are a few of her memories.
The three exchange students seem to be having a wonderful time in America, and hopefully the rest of their time here turns out great. The memories they take back home with them will be memories they might never forget.