Students From Spain Experience FHS

In what has become an annual tradition, 17 students from Colegio Claret Askartza in Biscay, Spain, spent two weeks experiencing life as students at William Fremd High School. During their visit, each student was paired with an FHS student, attended their classes and stayed with their family.

Haizene López said she enjoyed the welcoming atmosphere at Fremd.

“I have been so comfortable here. People have been so nice,” she said. “I enjoyed meeting new people. We have a large group and have had a lot of fun here.”

Fremd World Language Chair Hali Yoshimura said the exchange gives Fremd students an opportunity to learn from and interact firsthand with students from outside the U.S., while the Spanish students learn more about America.

“They learned firsthand how school life is similar and different in Spain, and how young people's lives are similar and different across the globe,” Yoshimura said.

Nicolas Alonso said he enjoyed seeing the diversity of FHS’s student population.

“My host family was a Japanese family,” Alonso said. “In the two weeks I have been here, I have also met students from South American and African families. I did not expect to see that much diversity here.”

The student makeup was not the only thing that surprised the visitors. López and Alonso said they were also surprised that, in America, students move from classroom to classroom instead of teachers.

Bego Delpoco, an English teacher at Colegio Claret Askartza, has been involved in the exchange program for 25 years. She said that, beyond the experiences themselves, the program teaches her students independence.

“Education is not just attending lessons and memorizing facts,” Delpoco said. “It is an opportunity to know different cultures. Additionally they are working on their independence. We make them be responsible for every step of the process.”

During the visit, the students, their host families and their Fremd counterparts also experienced life beyond the classroom. They attended a high school football game, toured Chicago and spent time at Six Flags Great America.

This year’s experience was unique for Yoshimura, who was involved in the exchange not only as a teacher but also as a host. Her daughter Adriana was paired with one of the visiting students.

“In the past we have hosted teachers which has provided an amazing opportunity for my entire family to learn about food, culture and everyday life in Spain from those adults staying with us,” she said. “This time, we had the fun opportunity to learn from a young person, who was an absolute delight! She acclimated well to our family and quickly became like a sibling for my daughter who was participating and for her sister and two brothers.”

At the end of the visit, students, teachers and host families gathered in the Fremd Media Center for a farewell dinner. Each student spoke about what they had enjoyed and tearfully reflected on the new friendships and bonds they had formed. Although saying goodbye was sad for the Spanish and Fremd students, the Fremd students will travel to Spain in May. Yoshimura said they are eager for the trip.

“Our students who were a part of the program made life-long friendships with new students across the world and are excited to reconnect with them when we travel to Spain at the end of the school year,” she said.