Masuk Free Press

Being born in the United States and living here for their whole lives is a norm for most Masuk students. Most Students grew up learning the customary system and standing for the pledge every morning. This year at Masuk three foreign exchange students made their American debut. Vernice Vincente (junior ), Kira Vido(senior), and Gulia Celani(senior). The three have found themselves in the middle of Monroe, Connecticut after living their lives abroad in Spain, France and Italy, respectively. 

Vernice Vincente was born and raised in Madrid, Spain. “I’ve been in America for two months on October 16…today i’m missing my family” but “when i’m doing stuff and keep busy I don’t miss home…when I play nintendo or watch series on the TV I feel at home”. 

Gulia Celani gives her insight to how, “Italy and America are such different worlds, I’m loving some things from America and I’m missing some things from Italy.” Gulia was born in Milan, Italy and has lived there for her whole life, “You go everywhere by car here…and when you hang out you usually go to McDonalds because that is what’s open,” she observes.  

The cultural differences between America and Europe are vast. Just to name a few, Europe uses the Metric system, has public health care, and uses a 24 hour clock instead of AM/PM. Some contrasts to European culture Vernice, Kira, and Gulia have noticed are, 

“Everything is huge here!” says Kira Vido from Nice, France, “The smaller ice cream here would be the biggest size in Europe.” Across the world, the behavior of people is always going to vary. The consensus between Verenice, Kira, Gulia is that their experience with American demeanor was exceptional. 

“The people are super lovely and they make me feel at home,” Gulia says. Kira discusses the differences between French and American social scripts. “(In France) You cannot just say ‘Hi’ or ‘I love your hair’ to someone you don’t know because you’re just going to get judged, and here everyone is so talkative” 

All three of Masuk’s exchange students come from largely populated cities, Madrid, Milan, and Nice. 

“I love nature…at nights I love to see the stars, I can’t see them at home because of all the lights.” It is not just Monroe that has made a favorable impression on these students, our very own Masuk highschool only received positive reviews, “I love the school and the environment of it, everyone is very involved” Gulia dotes. “I like that you can pick your level and the teachers are willing to help,” Kira adds. If someone compared and contrasted a typical American school to one in Europe, the differences would outweigh the similarities. There is no spirit week, homecoming, senior skip days, or Friday night football games. Gulia has made every football game mandatory for herself, “I go to every single football game, I love them so much.” 

A leap of faith is something Vernice, Gulia, and Kira took. They said goodbye to their friends, family, and familiarity, to live in an entirely separate country for a school year. Constantly speaking a second language and navigating an unfamiliar place is mentally taxing. Discomfort aside, the three students would not trade their experience for the world.

 Gulia says how she is “discovering a new part of myself and I love that I get to do that with new people,” while Kira conveys the importance of traveling,  “I think it is great to discover how other cultures live.” If you ever need help making the decision to go somewhere, take advice from someone who has experience in travel. 

Kira says “Give it a shot, traveling the world is one of the best experiences you will probably have, you’ll meet some incredible people you will never forget about, just go for it!”