Hi. I am Frankie and I traveled to San Silvestre School in Lima, Peru in June and July of this year. Before arriving at the school, I remember being excited and nervous. It was an all-girls school with a uniform and strict rules such as no phones. It seemed so daunting to me as it was very different from Athenian. I arrived with low expectations as I didn’t know how I would branch out with new friends and find my place. Me and my exchange partner were quite different people and I didn’t think I would find many commonalities with her friends.
The first day I walked in looking at the building with three enormous towers of stairs, giant hallways, rows of lockers and five floors. There were tons of girls walking quickly, talking in a language I could barely comprehend, dressed in a Christmas-colored uniform with their hair tied back in a ponytail. I was overwhelmed and nervous. I got to art and needed to get my headphones from my locker. I ran down five sets of stairs, turned the corner and saw lockers labeled 60-80. Mine was number 10. I turned the corner and walked halfway but couldn’t find it. I quickly ran back up the stairs, my face heating up and thinking “this is going to be awful.” I already lost the location of my locker. Sitting back in my chair, I gave a forced and nervous smile to the teacher and said, “I don’t think I brought headphones today. Sorry”.
I look back on that first day and tell everyone that wants to go on exchange to be open-minded. Just the next day I talked with people and made friends. Everyone was kind and curious about the US and California. I soon became close with the family I was staying with and they were very kind. The first week I went on a camping trip for three days, going white-water rafting and ziplining. I made another close friend and befriended a couple other exchange students. The following week I settled in with a friend group of about ten girls who all were so nice and fun to hangout with. The next weekend I hung out with friends Friday and Saturday, completely forgetting about how nervous I was on the first day, just enjoying the moment, going to malls and people’s apartments.
I settled in nicely but after three weeks I needed to switch grades as my grade had exams. I wasn’t excited for the switch as I knew not a single girl in my new grade. I was able to find another friend group by talking to people in class and making conversation. The new group was so sweet. They brought Peruvian food for me to try and invited me to go out with them on the weekend.
I think everybody should consider going on exchange. The cultural shock is huge but it is so worth it. I learned so much more Spanish, learned about new traditions in Peru, made so many friends who I am already planning to see next year, and visited many different small towns outside Lima. I think exchange might not be for everyone, but I think everyone should think about it, as it was one of the best experiences of my life.
My best piece of advice for going on exchange is to be open minded. When someone asks you for your name, ask for theirs. Make small talk, ask to sit with someone for lunch, join a club or a sport, try new food, step out of your comfort zone. If the country doesn’t speak your language, try and learn some of it and talk to new people. I saw students on exchange who clung onto their host student and didn’t talk to other people, as they were worried about their new environment, and they didn’t have the best experience. Step out of your comfort zone. Trust me, it is worth it. Also a small tip: buy a flag from that country to get everyone to sign on you. My host family bought me one and it’s a great thing to remember my trip. I recommend everyone consider going on exchange. I loved it so much and am very excited to go back to Peru!
The Athenian School Exchange Blog 