California Dreaming: MBHS Foreign Exchange Students

Every year, students from around the globe come to Morro Bay High School to study. However, as someone who might have lived their whole life in the United States, and been through the American public school system, it might be hard to see the draw. But past the cliche cliques, infamous school cafeteria food, and various other shortcomings, exchange students see hope, community, and possibility.

Junior Mellissa Kraatz, from Berlin, Germany, said that one of the main reasons she went abroad is because she has, “the opportunity here to try out different subjects that I can’t study in my homeschool, like journalism, and anatomy.”

 Through studying here, Kraatz hopes to improve her English, but mostly to have fun and grow personally. She looks forward to the school dances, something they don’t have back home in Germany, and what she sees as part of the “typical” American high school experience. When asked if media based in American high schools impacted her decision to study here, she said,  “I think everybody has seen, like, the typical high school movies, you know, ‘High School Musical.’ And some weeks ago, I started watching ‘The O.C.’ I loved the series. It shows daily life in California, and I hope maybe mine looks like that. It’s awesome.” 

Kraatz also provides insight into differences between German and American teaching styles. She appreciates how here, “the teachers are just so much more interested and like, they really want to know you,” while in Germany, teachers treat it more like business.

Senior Julie Hartz, from Norway, has a similar perspective on things. She has always loved traveling and meeting new people, so when her teacher back home talked about this exchange opportunity in the U.S, it seemed like the perfect opportunity. From this experience, Hartz hopes to improve her English, but also to make new friends and create another family in America. A cultural difference that Hartz remarks on is the friendliness of people, “in Norway, people really kept to themselves. They’re not talkative. Like, if I’m going to the store or on the bus, people are looking down and people are not saying ‘hi’.” Similarly, Kraatz also admires the school spirit and sports involvement in the United States.

One of Hartz’s favorite aspects of school is how she feels like, “everyone can talk to everyone. And I like nutrition and free food. We don’t have free food in Norway.” Hartz is excited to get involved in things on and off campus. She is already in cheer, and hopes to continue surfing after trying it for the first time a few days ago. However, there are things Hartz misses from school in Norway, like the shorter school days and lack of homework that allows her to hang out with friends and family after school.