Chariho Welcomes International Students

Exploring the new experiences the world has to offer, international student Nirvana Zhang and foreign exchange student Hannah Martens traveled to Chariho High School as a part of broadening their cultural horizon.

These two girls have two different stories about foreign traveling/exchange. Nirvana Zhang travels from Beijing, China and was a foreign exchange student last school year in Louisiana. She decided to stay in the United States for another year, just this time as an international student. Hannah Martens on the other hand is a first-time foreign exchange student from Leipzig, Germany. Both are ecstatic to be at Chariho this school year.

Coming over to the United States was similar for Zhang and Martens. Martens described it by saying, “I was very afraid about the language because in Germany we only learn about the British English for two years.” She went on to say, “But now, [language] is the smallest problem I have. It made me want to try [to learn] more.”

The biggest struggle that they face is that they have to ask their host parents to drive them everywhere. This is difficult for them because they are so used to living in cities where they can take public transportation.

“That’s the most difficult part. You have to ask your host parents to take you everywhere,” Zhang said. Martens added, “You don’t want to annoy them but at the same time you want to spend time with friends.”

At first they thanked their host family for helping them with the language. However, now they are not so concerned about the language. Their host parents both encourage them to be involved around the community and in the American culture.

At school, Zhang and Martens have adapted very well. They are both interested in extracurricular activities. Zhang is a part of the Math Club, Student Advisory Board, Cross Country, Track, Chorus of Westerly, and FBLA. Martens is a part of the High School Chorus and is focused on playing a spring sport.

When talking about her experience at Chariho, Martens said, “All the students in my classes come to me and ask me about Germany. Then, we start to have a conversation and we sit at lunch together and now we are friends.”

They both admit that moving to the United States has been pretty easy for them. This experience of transformed them in a way they did not know could be possible.

“I know you can never collect the experiences that you collect on exchange anywhere else,” Martens said. “The biggest thing that I learned was not the language. It was learning a lot about myself. You almost become like a new person.”

Martens added, “When you are on exchange you have to think like an adult, instead of thinking like a teenager. I think that that’s the best part.”

After this year, Zhang and Martens are taking different paths but will always remember this experience. Zhang will be attending Johnson and Wales University next year and Martens will be heading back to Germany to complete her senior year.

“It’s something I’ll never forget,” said Martens. “When you go to another country you gain a new perspective on the world.”

If you are interested in foreign exchange programs visit www.afsusa.org and contact your guidance counselor.