Junior Joel Hoster of Kronberg, Germany, and sophomore Karola Natuzzi of Altamura, Italy, took a few moments to share their backgrounds and experiences so far:
What is your hometown like?
Joel: My hometown, Kronberg, is not that big; but, not too far from the big city Frankfurt.
Karola: My hometown is called Altamura. It’s pretty big, it has 85,000 citizens and I love it. It is famous for its bread.
Why do you want to study in the U.S.?
Joel: Mostly to catch some experience and improve my English skills.
Karola: Because, since I was a child, I’ve always watched a lot of movies about teens in the U.S., so I’ve always been curious about it.
What is one part of American culture that you are excited to experience?
Joel: I would probably say the food.
Karola: The prom, which doesn’t exist in Italy.
What is one part of your culture that you would like to share with Americans?
Joel: The highways with no tempo limits.
Karola: The food.
What is one difference between education in your country and education in America?
Joel: The schedule is a lot different. In Germany, one class is 90 minutes and we’ve got at least three of them a day. However, in America, one class is about 40 minutes, and you have nine different classes a day.
Karola: In Italy, students don’t move, but teachers do. So, you grow up with the same 20 people for the five years of high school.
How has your experience at Mars Area High School been so far?
Joel: Pretty good. I experienced a completely different schedule. Also, there are different kind of high school teams that we don’t have in Germany.
Karola: I love it here. It’s so fun to move from one class to another, and I also like having lunch here with all of my friends.
Are you involved in any activities or sports?
Joel: I play soccer. Also, for the high school team. (Note: Hoster scored the lone goal in the Boys Varsity Soccer Team’s 1-0 victory over the defending PIAA State Champion Quaker Valley Quakers on Sept. 8. The Fightin’ Planets presented him with the Golden Ball of the game.)
Karola: I do cross country.
What do you do outside of school?
Joel: I meet with friends, play soccer...
Karola: I do cross country, then I go home and I do my homework, I have dinner with my family and sometimes we watch a movie.
What is the best thing about being an exchange student?
Joel: You’ll experience a completely new way of life… be it culture, school, food, or friends.
Karola: You’ll experience a completely new way of life. It’s so interesting seeing different types of routines, ways to dress, food, and it’s so funny that you become like them. I’m getting used to this “new” life and I really like it.
In addition to hosting exchange students from other countries, Mars Area High School’s AFS/MISA Chapter offers scholarships to eligible students who are interested in traveling abroad. Numerous Mars Area High School students have participated in exchange programs in the chapter’s more than 50-year history.
Most recently, graduate Mia Ola (Class of 2021) studied abroad in Germany. Ola, a sophomore biology major at PennWest (Pennsylvania Western University) California, was recently awarded an Association of Pennsylvania State College & University Faculties (APSCUF) scholarship.
Other Mars Area graduates, who have joined in exchange programs include Nicole Blyth (Class of 2017), who studied in France; Rebecca Berzonski (Class of 2013), Germany; Sarah Baehr (Class of 2011), Austria; Rachael Becker (Class of 2010), China; Andrew Dorsch (Class of 2010), Germany; and many more.
Through study abroad programs, students can experience the diversity of culture and lifestyles that they might not otherwise learn about in a textbook. Students can also enhance their second language skills, add to their college applications, and experience cultures and people who they would otherwise not have a chance to meet.
Many exchange students develop lifelong connections with their host families maintain with their exchange students and vice versa. Any families, who are interested in hosting an exchange student, are encouraged to attend the AFS/MISA chapter’s monthly meetings.
The chapter typically meets at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month during the school year. (The chapter does not meet in December.) All future meeting dates are listed online at www.marsk12.org.
Throughout the school year, chapter members participate in a variety of events. Each spring, the chapter welcomes foreign exchange students from
Mars Area and surrounding school districts to share information about their countries and cultures with students at Mars Area High School and Mars Area Middle School as part of an International Days event.
In addition, the chapter sponsors the annual Mars Fall Craft Show, which serves as the organization’s primary fundraiser each school year. This year’s event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19, at Mars Area High School.
For more information or to get involved, call (724) 625-1581.
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