GNA CAMPUS – The GNA Insider had the opportunity to interview Stefani Kalaydzhieva, a student participating in the foreign exchange program. Hailing from Spain, she will be joining us at the Greater Nanticoke Area School District for this school year, and we are thrilled to welcome her. We asked her a few questions to get to know her better.
What motivated you to apply for an exchange program in our country or school?
I decided to apply for an exchange program because I wanted to experience a new culture and daily life in another country. Improving my English was also an important goal for me, as I know it will help me in my future. I was very curious about American high school traditions, and I also wanted to challenge myself, meet new people, and create new memories.
What are you most looking forward to experiencing during your exchange program?
I’m really looking forward to experiencing American high school life, especially the school spirit, sports, and events, like prom or homecoming. As I mentioned earlier, I also want to make new friends, improve my English, and simply enjoy doing something completely different from my daily life in Spain.
Is there any place you want to visit in America?
Honestly, I don’t have a specific place I want to visit. I just want to visit new places and try new things. If I had to choose, I would choose New York, Los Angeles, and maybe some national parks and shops that we don’t have in Spain.
What do you think will be your biggest challenge during the exchange, and how do you plan to overcome it?
When I was in Spain, my biggest challenge was making new friends during the exchange. At first, I was worried about it, but I managed to connect with people by being open and friendly. Now, my biggest challenge is speaking English well. I plan to overcome it by practicing every day and not being afraid of making mistakes.
Can you share a bit about your home country, culture, and school?
In Spain, people are very social, and family and friends are very important in daily life. We have a lot of celebrations and typical food, and people really enjoy eating together and spending time outdoors. My school is quite big, and students usually have the same subjects as here. Math, science, history, and a lot of languages you can choose, like German, French, and Latin.
What activities or clubs are you hoping to be involved in, or are you already in one?
I’m already involved in the cheerleader team, and I really love it. The girls are super nice. I have so much fun, and I especially like it because in Spain we don’t have American football games, so this is a new experience for me.
What do you like to do in your free time?
In my free time, I love dancing, cooking sweet things, and listening to music. I also really enjoy hanging out with my friends and watching movies.
How do you handle adapting to new and unfamiliar environments?
I try to stay positive and open-minded when I’m in a new environment. I like to observe, ask questions, and learn from the people around me. I also try to make friends and get involved in activities, which helps me feel more comfortable and confident.
What’s your favorite class in your country?
I’m not sure yet because I like all my classes, but maybe I would choose science or psychology. It’s really interesting and I enjoy learning new things in those classes.
What kind of music do you listen to? Any favorite artists?
I like all kinds of music, including English and Spanish songs. I enjoy pop, reggae, and many other styles. I don’t just have one favorite artist because it depends on my mood and what I feel like listening to.
If you had the chance, would you continue living in America?
I’m not sure. That’s a very difficult question for me because I like America, but all my friends and family are in Spain, and I really like being there. I think living in America would be interesting, but it’s hard to say if I would want to stay long-term.
How’s the food here compared to Spain?
The food here is quite different from that in Spain, but I like it. In Spain, meals are usually lighter and fresher, with lots of vegetables and olive oil, while here the food is often bigger and more varied. I like trying new dishes, but I also miss some typical Spanish food.
