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A foreign experience : More than just a new flag

Integrating into a new culture brings fresh knowledge and unforeseen stressors.

Green Hope displays the flags of its very diverse student body.

Imagine spending a year overseas, far from your family and any sense of comfort once afforded to you. Although this may sound daunting, for many foreign exchange students, their time abroad is an unforgettable experience.

Foreign exchange programs were initially created to provide academic and cultural experiences through overseas education. These programs can be organized by schools, nonprofit organizations, or government-sponsored initiatives. To be accepted, students generally need at least a 2.5 GPA and some proficiency in the host country’s language, as per the International Student Exchange guidelines. Depending on the program, students may also receive financial support. All students are assigned a host family, providing a safe and welcoming introduction to their new environment. Regardless of the program details, all foreign exchange students have the opportunity to broaden their academic and cultural horizons.

Starting this semester, Green Hope welcomed a new foreign exchange student, Alvise Farinati (‘26). While many assume the hardest part would be adjusting to a new country, Farinati found his biggest challenge was the journey itself. He shared, “Due to bad weather, I missed a plane connection and had to stay in a hotel overnight.” Despite the language barrier, his determination to improve his language skills, aided by Google Translate, makes making friends the easiest part of living in America.

Outside of school, Farinati has grown comfortable with his daily routine. “Every day after school, I take the bus to my house and my host family. I talk to my host mom to learn the language better, help her with dinner, and then watch TV with her—that’s my usual day.” He also enjoys many activities North Carolina offers, saying, “I like golfing with my host father, playing basketball, soccer, and tennis. If I have time, I watch sports at Green Hope.”

While transitioning to American school life has been manageable, Farinati notes that the school system is quite different. “School here is much bigger. Schools in Venice are smaller, with around 400 students. Students stay in one classroom, and teachers change classes. Italian schools don’t have cafeterias; students eat in class, with only 15 minutes for lunch.”

Green Hope has hosted many other exchange students, including Anton Ascher, who finished his program in June. He shared, “What was easy to adjust to was daily life because I had an amazing host family who took good care of me and was super friendly.” Now back in Hamburg, Germany, Ascher describes the differences : “In Germany, the schedule varies daily with about 13 classes a week. You can’t choose your classes, unlike here, where I enjoyed picking classes like AP US Gov. My overall experience was positive; I got to see a lot of the US and enjoyed many activities, especially football games.”

He reflects on his memories at Green Hope : “I miss the people, the sports, school spirit, and working digitally via Chromebook.” Ascher advises prospective exchange students, “Just do it. It’s challenging and pushes you out of your comfort zone, but it’s worth it. You’ll meet amazing people and gain a unique experience—a year in your life, but also a life in a year.”

This immersion program enriches Green Hope’s diversity, offering students a valuable educational experience and fostering a global perspective.

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Evan Fekete, a junior at Green Hope, is a first-year member of the GH Falcon staff. He enjoys playing soccer, is a varsity goalkeeper, and participates in the NCFC youth club. When not playing, he likes gaming, reading, listening to music, or hanging out with friends. Evan lives in Cary with his family and aspires to attend college in the mountains. His passion for journalism stems from a love of writing and entertaining others, which he aims to pursue through his work here.

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