Wilmington's International Student Exchange (IES) program currently has over 9 students from countries such as Italy and Spain hosted by local families. Local ISE students recently led service projects at PAWS Humane Society and the Clinton County Homeless Shelter. One of the students, Isabella Eckardt, answered questions about her experience with the program thus far.
Q: What country are you from?
A: Schönwalde-Glien near berlin, Germany
Q: What is your community like in your native country, and how does it compare to Ohio?
A: In Schönwalde-Glien are more people in a town than here in New Vienna. We have also fields around us but much more trees than here our forests are pretty big. Our houses are also not far from each other away that means there is never just one house near the street there are more than. Also you have better chances to walk around because there are sidewalks. When we go to school you have to walk to a bus stop, we don’t have yellow buses. Just normal public buses. In Berlin they are coming every ten to fifteen minutes but in Schönwalde twice an hour. Here in New Vienna we just have the yellow school bus. When we think now about food and restaurants we don’t really eat chili some of my friends never tried it before, I did because my mom likes it but we just do it once a year.
Q: What is something unexpected that occurred when moving here? Or what is the biggest culture shock?
A: For me a shock was that I have two host brothers and I never had siblings before. Also my room in Germany was bigger than my room here so I needed a good way to put all my stuff. But also that here the people are different, you have to be really careful what you say, some are going to accept you and some not.
Q: What is one fun fact about you?
A: I can make like noises with my nose, and cheerleading for the first time and cross country and tennis.
If you are interested in opening your home to host an international exchange student please visit the iseusa.org website and check out the host family FAQ page. You can also read testimonials from past and current host families. When you feel ready, complete the host family interest form, and an area representative will get in touch with you. You can also get involved by joining our team of Area Representatives! Help match host families and exchange students and bring the world closer together while making supplemental income.
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