Max Guo ’17: Episcopal regularly welcomes a host of foreign exchange students from both Australia and South Africa. The program is offered to rising Juniors at Episcopal Academyand gives them an opportunity to embark on a journey to either South Africa or Australia.
Although from over 9,864 miles away, the Australian students, including Bec Hockey, Anna Corby, and Fenella Nicol, adapted well to the lifestyles of Episcopal students in America.
“I have to say before coming here I definitely had some American stereotypes in mind. These included the use of ‘ya’ll’ in everyday language, meals consisting of pizza, bacon and everything fried and absolutely everything in size XXL. My perception has somewhat changed, though, after being here.” Hockey states .
“From day one the Episcopal Academy has blown my mind. The caring community of people have welcomed me with warm hearts and made me feel so comfortable.” She continued Hockey also commented on EpiscopalAcademy’s sports requirmentssaying, “The teams have made me feel apart of the school and shout out to the hockey girls for making me feel so welcome. Watching the other sporting teams, especially football, was so exciting and the organized school activities have been so fun.”
Similarly, Corby also resonated with the culture and spirit of Episcopal. “The culture of spirit week was indescribable.”
For Corby, the main highlights of her visit to America were being able to visit the city of Philadelphia, Washington D.C, and going to the Jersey Shore.
However, she commented that she was surprised to see the hustle and bustle of Americans. “Back home in Australia, everything is about five levels slower and more relaxed,” Corby explained.
Still, she believes, “There are so many qualities about America that I admire, including the strength of spirit and community, the tenacity of people, and the audacity they possessed ensuring that I feel welcome and that I have incredible experiences whilst I’m here.” Nicol also explains, “America demonstrates a lot more openly than Australia.”
Corby remains extremely proud to call herself an Australian, though, because she believes “Australians have such a love of life that you could only understand it by experiencing it!”
Nicol also emphasized how different American life is compared to Australian life. “At my school in Australia, we have five classes a day and have roughly twenty-five students per class. Our classes don’t include topics like creative writing or film appreciation.”
“Tbe best parts about my exchange to Episcopal is the friendliness of the staff and students and the school spirit. I have made many friends and have experienced a school life that is very different from that of Australia.” Said Nicol
And, according to her, “No one in Australia actually says, ‘G’day mate.’ Instead, it’s just an overstressed stereotype that Americans seem to have invented.”
South Africans, Holly Judge, Megan Meyer, and Gabriel Makin, accompanied the Australians to Episcopal. Judge and Meyer both became members of the Girls’ Water Polo team and even visited a few American cuisine classics while here.
“Chipotle and Wawa were life changing experiences,” stressed Judge. Apparently in South Africa, a big stereotype of America is that there is fast food everywhere, and she is now “happy to report back to her friends about how true this is.”
She also emphasized, “I loved Episcopal from the very first day. With the cafeteria, chapel, and even fountains on campus, the place is truly beautiful.”
Makin commented saying that upon his arrival he “just wanted to have fun, because what’s the point of coming to a new place, and not having the best experiences possible?”
He, in particular, is known for trying to give “South African Accent” lessons to people by telling students how to say certain phrases with a South African flair. Makin also takes pride in himself and his country, because he wants to “leave a legacy” wherever he goes.