Table of Contents
- Program Location: Nevada and Life in the Desert
- Adaptation and First Months in the USA
- American High School: Subjects and Academic Levels
- Why the USA and Why an Exchange Program
- English Language: Before and During the Program
- Program Application and Parental Support
- Getting a U.S. Visa
- Independent Travel to the USA
- Host Family and Double Placement
- Making Friends at an American School
- After-School Activities and Sports
- American Holidays
- Free Time and Daily Schedule
- Plans to Continue Studying in the USA
- Advice for Future Exchange Students
Program Location: Nevada and Life in the Desert
— WHICH STATE ARE YOU PLACED IN?
I live in Nevada, in the city of Henderson, near Las Vegas. It’s a relatively small city, but very close to a big metropolitan area. I really wanted to end up in a more “active” state, with large cities, shopping centers, and that big-city atmosphere.
I live in Nevada, in the city of Henderson, near Las Vegas. It’s a relatively small city, but very close to a big metropolitan area. I really wanted to end up in a more “active” state, with large cities, shopping centers, and that big-city atmosphere.
— YOU’RE BASICALLY LIVING IN THE DESERT. HOW IS THE CLIMATE?
It’s very dry. But there are advantages — for example, clothes dry extremely fast after washing. When I arrived at the end of summer, it was very hot, with dry, scorching air. On the other hand, winters here are very warm. In January, it can be around +20°C. I adapted to the climate very quickly.
It’s very dry. But there are advantages — for example, clothes dry extremely fast after washing. When I arrived at the end of summer, it was very hot, with dry, scorching air. On the other hand, winters here are very warm. In January, it can be around +20°C. I adapted to the climate very quickly.
Adaptation and First Months in the USA
— HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE USA, AND HOW WAS YOUR ADAPTATION?
I’ve been here for almost five months. Adaptation wasn’t very difficult because I had already been to the U.S. before, so there wasn’t a strong cultural shock. The hardest time was around October, when the initial excitement faded and school became more intensive. Overall, though, the experience has been very positive.
I’ve been here for almost five months. Adaptation wasn’t very difficult because I had already been to the U.S. before, so there wasn’t a strong cultural shock. The hardest time was around October, when the initial excitement faded and school became more intensive. Overall, though, the experience has been very positive.
American High School: Subjects and Academic Levels
— WHAT IS YOUR AMERICAN SCHOOL LIKE?
It’s a large high school with more than a thousand students. A very typical American school — lockers, a big campus, and a very active school environment.
It’s a large high school with more than a thousand students. A very typical American school — lockers, a big campus, and a very active school environment.
— WHICH SUBJECTS ARE MANDATORY AND WHICH CAN YOU CHOOSE?
Mandatory subjects include English, math, U.S. history, and science (I chose chemistry). Other classes are electives. I chose criminology, psychology, sociology, and student council.
Mandatory subjects include English, math, U.S. history, and science (I chose chemistry). Other classes are electives. I chose criminology, psychology, sociology, and student council.
— CAN YOU CHANGE ACADEMIC LEVELS?
Yes. If the level you’re placed in is too easy or too difficult, you can change it — even up to college-level classes. I decided to change my math level starting in the second semester so I wouldn’t switch in the middle of the year.
Yes. If the level you’re placed in is too easy or too difficult, you can change it — even up to college-level classes. I decided to change my math level starting in the second semester so I wouldn’t switch in the middle of the year.
Why the USA and Why an Exchange Program
— WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO GO TO THE USA?
My main goal was improving my English. Here, you’re fully immersed in an English-speaking environment. There’s no way to avoid using the language every day.
The second reason was independence. You learn how to solve problems on your own, communicate with a host family, and take responsibility for yourself without your parents.
My main goal was improving my English. Here, you’re fully immersed in an English-speaking environment. There’s no way to avoid using the language every day.
The second reason was independence. You learn how to solve problems on your own, communicate with a host family, and take responsibility for yourself without your parents.
English Language: Before and During the Program
— WHAT WAS YOUR ENGLISH LEVEL BEFORE THE PROGRAM?
My grammar was good, but my vocabulary wasn’t very strong. I scored close to the maximum on the placement test.
My grammar was good, but my vocabulary wasn’t very strong. I scored close to the maximum on the placement test.
— DO YOU FEEL PROGRESS NOW?
Yes, there is progress, but it’s gradual. Since I speak English every day, the change isn’t always noticeable immediately. However, English has become more natural and comfortable for me.
Yes, there is progress, but it’s gradual. Since I speak English every day, the change isn’t always noticeable immediately. However, English has become more natural and comfortable for me.
Program Application and Parental Support
— WAS THE APPLICATION PROCESS DIFFICULT?
The most challenging part was the medical paperwork. My parents helped with that. Everything else — application forms, personal information, and letters — I completed myself in English.
The most challenging part was the medical paperwork. My parents helped with that. Everything else — application forms, personal information, and letters — I completed myself in English.
Getting a U.S. Visa
— HOW DID THE VISA PROCESS GO?
It wasn’t easy. The first time, we couldn’t submit the documents because of a newly introduced rule related to U.S. holidays.
The second time, the visa was approved, but my passport was kept for additional social media screening, which is now a standard procedure. After some time, the visa was issued.
It wasn’t easy. The first time, we couldn’t submit the documents because of a newly introduced rule related to U.S. holidays.
The second time, the visa was approved, but my passport was kept for additional social media screening, which is now a standard procedure. After some time, the visa was issued.
Independent Travel to the USA
— WAS THIS YOUR FIRST TIME TRAVELING ALONE?
Yes. It was my first independent flight, and I was very nervous. I even cried at the airport. The flight lasted 13 hours. However, everything went smoothly, and airport staff helped me when I needed assistance.
Yes. It was my first independent flight, and I was very nervous. I even cried at the airport. The flight lasted 13 hours. However, everything went smoothly, and airport staff helped me when I needed assistance.
Host Family and Double Placement
— HOW DID YOUR HOST FAMILY MEET YOU?
My host mom met me at the airport. Another exchange student from Germany was there as well — this is called double placement.
My host mom met me at the airport. Another exchange student from Germany was there as well — this is called double placement.
— WHAT IS IT LIKE LIVING WITH ANOTHER EXCHANGE STUDENT?
It’s very comfortable. You don’t feel alone, and it makes adaptation much easier. We became friends quickly.
It’s very comfortable. You don’t feel alone, and it makes adaptation much easier. We became friends quickly.
Making Friends at an American School
— WAS IT EASY TO MAKE FRIENDS?
The challenge is that Americans are very polite, and it’s sometimes hard to tell whether someone wants to be friends or is just being friendly. You have to be willing to start conversations and talk to different people. Over time, I found my group.
The challenge is that Americans are very polite, and it’s sometimes hard to tell whether someone wants to be friends or is just being friendly. You have to be willing to start conversations and talk to different people. Over time, I found my group.
After-School Activities and Sports
— WHAT DO YOU DO AFTER SCHOOL?
I participate in varsity quiz — an academic competition between schools, similar to “What? Where? When?”.
I also play pickleball, a sport similar to tennis. Through these activities, I made friends and became part of a team.
I participate in varsity quiz — an academic competition between schools, similar to “What? Where? When?”.
I also play pickleball, a sport similar to tennis. Through these activities, I made friends and became part of a team.
American Holidays
— HOW DO YOU CELEBRATE HOLIDAYS?
On Thanksgiving, which coincided with my birthday, I cooked borscht and baked a cherry pie.
Homecoming was a school dance and celebration.
Christmas was spent with family, gifts, and a festive dinner.
Halloween was my favorite — we went trick-or-treating and collected lots of candy.
On Thanksgiving, which coincided with my birthday, I cooked borscht and baked a cherry pie.
Homecoming was a school dance and celebration.
Christmas was spent with family, gifts, and a festive dinner.
Halloween was my favorite — we went trick-or-treating and collected lots of candy.
Free Time and Daily Schedule
— DO YOU HAVE FREE TIME?
Yes. School starts at 7:00 a.m. and ends around 4:00 p.m. After that, there’s time for homework, activities, and rest. I like this schedule.
Yes. School starts at 7:00 a.m. and ends around 4:00 p.m. After that, there’s time for homework, activities, and rest. I like this schedule.
Plans to Continue Studying in the USA
— WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTINUE STUDYING IN THE USA?
Yes. I really like the culture, the people, and the atmosphere here. The only downside is transportation — without a car it’s difficult, but on university campuses this problem is usually solved.
Yes. I really like the culture, the people, and the atmosphere here. The only downside is transportation — without a car it’s difficult, but on university campuses this problem is usually solved.
Advice for Future Exchange Students
— WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO STUDENTS CONSIDERING THE PROGRAM?
You will definitely manage. Yes, it can be difficult, and you may miss home, but the experience is worth it. You’ll meet people from all over the world, experience a new culture, and realize that you are capable of much more than you think.
You will definitely manage. Yes, it can be difficult, and you may miss home, but the experience is worth it. You’ll meet people from all over the world, experience a new culture, and realize that you are capable of much more than you think.
If you’d like to better understand how a high school exchange program in the USA really works and whether this experience is right for you, detailed information is available on the program page.