Bringing the World to Wayland through AFS

When asked what they enjoy most about their time at Wayland high school, both Teresa Hank Gomez and Emma Nallet are ready to produce an entire list of answers. The warm and accepting atmosphere, friendly student teacher relationships, the vast range of classes and activities that are offered, and the sense of trust and responsibility that is placed on them and their classmates.

 

Both students spent the past school year at Wayland high school and were hosted by local families. Their goal was to experience life as a US teenager, go to school, play sports, and learn about all the holidays and traditions. “Originally I thought this would be a great way to perfect my English language skills,” explains Teresa Hank Gomez who is from Germany. “But now I realize this year was about much more than that. I have grown more independent and have gained a deeper understanding of the United States”

Emma Nallet from France says she could not agree more. “This has been a life-changing experience for me, I really feel I have been granted a close-up view into this country”. She was particularly impressed with her US classmates’ interests in current affairs and political engagement. “The walk-out at our high school after the shootings in Parkland, Florida was truly inspiring, and I am proud to have been part of such a momentous uprising.”

Their exchange year was facilitated by AFS (former American Field Service), which offers many opportunities for students to live and study abroad while being placed with a host family.

“We are truly fortunate that our schools and the community are so open to accommodate these foreign students” says Jody Pongratz, the local AFS coordinator. Having been an exchange student to Malaysia herself she feels strongly about the mission of AFS, which is to create a more just and peaceful world by bringing people together on a personal level.

Teresa Hank Gomez and Emma Nallet find it “bittersweet” to have to return to their home countries in just a few weeks. While they are excited to reunite with family and friends in Europe, Wayland has become a second home for them. “My host family has treated me like one of their own children, and I know I will miss them and our times together a lot” says Nallet. Both students understand that their host families’ welcoming attitude and generosity cannot be taken for granted, “it is hard to put into words what they have done for me, I will always think of them as my ‘second family’ in the USA” says Hank Gomez.

Is there anything they will not miss? “Speed bumps”, says Hank Gomez jokingly, “but mainly because the school bus driver tends to ignore them which makes for a turbulent ride to school each day”

AFS has been a leader in international high school student exchange for more than 70 years. Each year, AFS-USA sends approximately 1,100 US students abroad, provides $3 million in scholarships and financial aid, including US Department of State sponsored scholarships, and welcomes 2,300 international high school students who come to study in U.S. high schools and live with host families. More than 5,000 volunteers in the U.S. make the work of AFS possible.

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