The holiday season is all about friends and family, and many people get together to celebrate. Some travel for hours to visit family across the country, but what if your people live abroad? The dark, rainy, and cold season is when it’s expected that most exchange students would start feeling homesick. Right?

Viarm Ding (10) from Yala City in Thailand decided that she wanted to be an exchange student in 6th grade. She chose to come to the US to learn about and improve her English. She loves the opportunities she has been a part of in exchanging cultures here in the US, where many different ethnicities are present. “Oh my gosh, I have so many experiences,” said Ding. So far, both her best and worst experiences have been learning to approach new people and make friends. Although it has been a challenge, Ding has made some close connections here at the school and says that her friends are her favorite part about her exchange. In addition, she has been having a wonderful time at the drama club, where she is learning new ways to enhance her performance on stage as well as costumes and props behind the stage. Although Ding misses the food from home, she has been enjoying American cuisine. “It is not bad because I am a very flexible person; I can eat everything,” said Ding. When questioned about homesickness, she said that she doesn’t feel any yet because she has been keeping busy during school. “Right now I don’t feel it, but maybe I will feel it during winter break. If I have nothing—no activities to do.”

Italian exchange student Elena Spadaro (12) feels the same way. She hasn’t experienced any homesickness and looked forward to the holiday season immensely. “I’m so excited actually, because it’s my favorite time of the year, and my birthday is coming,” Spadaro said. Her favorite part of the exchange so far has been spending Thanksgiving with her host family. “It was so fun; I felt like I was at home,” Spadaro said. Living the American dream has been the main motivation for doing her exchange in the US, and so far her experiences have lived up to the expectations. Spadaro said that she’s happy to go to school here and that she prefers American high school over Italian. Although she admits that the sports here are very competitive. “When I don’t catch the ball during team sports, people get mad at me,” Spadaro said laughingly. Although she has had an exciting time trying new and different foods, she also misses the food from home—especially real Italian pizza. I mean, who wouldn’t?

Gregoire Saire (11) from France is also having a wonderful time here in the US. Although he’s been loving life in Gig Harbor, his favorite experience was an incredible trip to Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming with his host family. He got to meet the extended family of his host parents, as well as enjoy beautiful scenery. “That was so much fun,” Saire said. He loves meeting new people, discovering a new culture, and trying new sports. So far he has competed in cross country and will be joining track and field in the spring. “The coaches are awesome,” Saire said. He also mentioned how the teachers generally are more cool, which makes the school less stressful than back home. The school is very different from back home, such as the periods being shorter and having the freedom to choose your own classes—which Saire loves. He does miss his friends and family from back home but expected to feel more homesick.

All in all, it seems like the exchange students are having a wonderful year so far, and all of them are excited to experience the American holidays. None of them are feeling very homesick, although most do miss their families, friends, and the food from home. The American high school has not disappointed, as all the students are loving it. Let’s hope that the new and amazing experiences will keep on coming in the new year as well!