Leaving everything behind- your friends, family, and familiar routines- to immerse yourself in a completely new country for an entire school year. That’s exactly what junior Cris Santacreu, one of North’s foreign exchange students has done, stepping into Columbus North High School with her fresh perspective, untold stories, and her immense courage to embrace the unknown. According to Santacreu, the transition from her Spanish school to an American one was enough to give anyone whiplash.
“Here the schools are very different from Spain,” Santacreu said. “Classes in Spain are fixed and we are always with the same classmates and the teachers are the ones who move between classes. Here the teachers have their own class and the students have to go to their classes. Another difference that has struck me is that here, sports are super important and people take sports super seriously, while in Spain sports are not so important; many people practice some sports but not as much as here.”
According to friend and teammate sophomore Tania Maldanado, the culinary transition was difficult on Santacreu.
“I’ve noticed that she’s had to adjust to the different meals,” Maldanado said. “She really misses Spanish dishes.”
According to Santacreu, the difficulty in moving countries lies not only in the change in school difficulty and cooking, but in the homesickness that occurs.
I had a hard time the first few days because I missed my parents and friends, and the thought of not seeing them for so long was hard,” Santacreu said. “But little by little I adapted here and I’m super happy with the life I’m creating here.”
While Santacreu might feel that there certainly are drawbacks, according to Santacreu, the exchange program can also be very exciting and full of new experiences.
“One thing I was really looking forward to doing was going to a soccer game, and a month ago I went to the East vs. North game and really enjoyed it,” Santacreu said.
Maldanado further explains the ways she has attempted to integrate Santacreu into American culture.
“Me and Crisitina have gone to Starbucks where she tried a new drink for the first time,” Maldanado said. “I’ve introduced her to Target, and we’ve gone to football and soccer games together.”
According to Santacreu, she not only found a community in attending school sporting events, but found a community even more in actually joining one.
“I have signed up for volleyball because some friends of mine who were exchange students recommended me to do a sport to make friends,” Santacreu said. “Although I have never played volleyball, I thought it was a good idea to sign up, and although I am not a player, I am a manager. I have made some very good friends in this sport.”
Santacreu explained how that sense of community has made her realize how valuable her home country’s culture really is.
“I think that when we have things we don’t value them as much as when we lose them,” Santacreu said. “Since I have been here, I have realized how lucky I am to have a family that loves me and takes care of me, friends who care about me, and to have a wonderful culture and gastronomy.”
Santacreu describes how beyond her home culture, she aims to explore more foreign cultures, in order to gain appreciation for both societies.
“I hope to live one of the best experiences of my life and take with me very good memories of all the time I have lived here,” Santacreu said. “I also hope to learn new cultures and customs, make good friends and have a great time in this new experience.”
The program has not only broadened Santacreu’s worldview, but, according to Maldanado, has broadened hers.
“Talking with [Santacreu] has definitely broadened my worldview,” Maldanado said. “She can speak so many different languages and I love learning about them.”
Maldanado goes on to further explain how Santacreu has inspired her.
“She has really inspired me and I hope to study abroad as well,” Maldanado said.
For future exchange students, Santacreu stresses the rarity of the opportunity, as well as the importance of not taking any of that time for granted.
“They should not think about all the months they are going to spend away from their country without seeing their family and friends, but that they are only going to be here for 10 months of their whole life,” Santacreu said. “It is something unique that they will not be able to repeat, and that they should live it to the fullest.”
