Exchange students receive equal representation

By Lauren Farberman
Staff Writer

Foreign exchange students travel halfway around the world to immerse themselves in new cultures while further enhancing their education. They are fairly treated like all other Mira Costa students as they should, because they are no different from the average student.

This year, ten foreign exchange students are attending Costa from Brazil, China, Sweden and Germany. Students who have an interest in coming to Costa as a foreign exchange student submit an application to administration, and if accepted the final step is finding a host family.

According to foreign exchange student Senior, John Conde, he had many years of English class at school in Brazil, so he does not feel lost at Costa.While foreign exchange students speak their native languages, they have extensive knowledge in English which proves there is no language barrier. Since foreign exchange students feel comfortable with English, it poses no unfair disadvantages.

Although these students have taken previous English classes, there is a class called English Language Learners (ELL) just for foreign exchange students taught by Costa Spanish teacher Anita Rossell. Additionally, students are fully immersed in English at home from living solely with English speakers. Prior knowledge of English mixed with a current learning of English with their host family proves foreign exchange students are treated fairly with respect to possible language barriers.

Foreign exchange students partake in their designated English class, along with a homework class to help with any questions they may have. According to Rossell, the class is extremely helpful for students because it clears up any confusion with English. Therefore, measures taken to help foreign exchange students with academics, ensure they receive equal treatment with regular students.

Exchange students have the opportunity to be on sports teams just as all other students at Costa. According to Conde, his position on boys varsity volleyball has helped him bond with his new classmates. Foreign exchange students are expected to attend try outs and work equally as hard as all other student athletes, but they are considered equals. This allows them to be treated as equals to resident Costa students when it comes to sports.

According to Junior, and foreign exchange student, David Kircheimer, he was denied a spot on the boys varsity soccer team due to the fact that he would only be with the team for one year. While this is an exclusion for foreign exchange students, it is not unfair treatment as the decision was for an activity, made for the well-being of the entire team and not an individual. This incident does not outweigh all the positive measures taken to ensure foreign exchange student’s equal treatment on campus.

While foreign exchange students receive benefits that regular students do not, these advantages do not put them on a pedestal above resident students.The special support classes are given to help with American aspects of school such as language. All measures taken to help foreign exchange students make sure equal treatment therefore provides a truly immersive American high school experience.