Life at OM through the eyes of an exchange student
Homecoming dances, football games, and even wearing pajamas to class might seem like just normal parts of American high school, but for students coming from another country, these experiences are often completely new!
Exchange students spend a semester or full school year studying abroad, usually living with a local host family before returning to their home country. These students have the opportunity to experience American high school life while bringing their own cultures and perspectives. OM has hosted and welcomed many exchange students into the community for years.
Former exchange students: Jenny from Germany (2018–2019), Ivana from Bosnia and Herzegovina (2022–2023), and Ana from Moldova (2024–2025), shared their experiences at OM and what made their time here memorable. For all three, American high school was different from what they were used to. The variety of classes, extracurricular activities and lots of school sports, were all opportunities that they didn’t necessarily have back home. However, adjusting to a new environment wasn’t always easy. Ana initially struggled with making friends, especially since many students already had their own groups. Ivana also faced challenges completing assignments in English, sometimes needing extra time because of the language barrier. Still, the people they met made a significant difference.
“My first week of tryouts I made a lot of new friends and everyone welcomed me,” Ivana recalled. For her, participating in school sports became one of the most important parts of her experience.
Jenny, who participated in several school activities, also remembers the welcoming environment. “Everyone was exceptionally kind,” she said.
Years later, she still keeps positive sticky notes from “Sticking Together,” remembering the support she received from teachers and students.
Ana joined cheer and DECA during her year at OM. Although cheer was tiring at first, she was glad she gave it a try, as it helped her make new friends and experience something she wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do back home. Beyond experiencing American traditions, exchange students also have the chance to introduce others to their own cultures. Ana remembers presenting about Moldova during International Week, sharing food and souvenirs with her classmates.
For OM students, getting to know someone from another country offers a similar opportunity without having to travel abroad. As Ivana explained, students “can learn a lot about different countries and cultures.” And sometimes, making that connection is simpler than it seems. Inviting an exchange student to sit with friends at lunch, explaining a school tradition, or encouraging them to join an activity can make their experience more welcoming.
Ana emphasized how meaningful these friendships remain even after returning home. The people she met at OM are still part of the stories, pictures, and memories she shares in Moldova. While exchange students may only spend a year at Oakland Mills, the connections they make can last much longer. For current Scorpions, getting to know them is also a chance to make friends, discover different perspectives, and experience a little more of the world without leaving school.
According to several international academic organizations, a common phrase among the students for summarizing the exchange experience is: “An exchange year is not a year in a life, but a life in a year.” So remember: a simple conversation, a smile, or a laugh might seem like a small moment to you, but to an exchange student, it could become an unforgettable memory! It is very important to embrace them and include them as much as possible in the school year activities.
I, too, am an exchange student who has been fortunate enough to be placed at OM. Coming from Brazil, one thing that surprises me is how much the school cares about its students and about making school enjoyable. The energy at football games is something really cool that I never experienced back home, since not all schools even have sports teams in Brazil.
Another interesting observation I noticed is that Americans don’t really dance at Homecoming; they mostly just jump around, which I thought was pretty funny, but I enjoyed the energy!
Although everyone at OM has been incredibly kind and welcoming, I’ve noticed that many students don’t really know what being an exchange student means. Some think I simply moved here from Brazil, without realizing I’m only staying for one school year. That’s why I think it’s so important to make the most of this time and the friendships we created.
Exchange programs aren’t just about coming to the United States! American students can also experience high school life in countries around the world! The three former exchange students interviewed for this article, along with its author, participated through American Field Service (AFS), now commonly known simply as AFS, a nonprofit international exchange organization that began its high school exchange programs in 1947. For Scorpions interested in having their own international experience, AFS-USA offers study abroad programs, different destinations, and scholarship opportunities. More information can be found at www.afsusa.org/study-abroad.
