By Khloe Koontz and Chloe Bressler
Photo 1: Willow, Tilly, Carlota, and Uwai smile for a picture at Carmel Beach.
Each year, students at Catalina can apply to several exchange programs that, if accepted, can take them thousands of miles away from home. These programs are an amazing opportunity for students to experience a completely different country and culture. Not only do students get to be an exchange student at another school, but they also have the privilege of hosting their exchange sister in Monterey and showing her around our very own Santa Catalina!
One exchange happening this year is with one of Catalina’s sister schools, Downe House. Downe House is an independent boarding and day all-girls school in Cold Ash, near Newbury inBerkshire, England. Carlota, Tilly, Uwai, and Willow are the four Downe House exchange students this year, and they’re paired with sophomores Chloe, Effie, Isabel, and Khloe, respectively.
All of the students participating in the exchange have had an exciting few weeks, trying to fit in as many classic American experiences as possible. To find out more about the perspective of an exchange student from a different country, and really hear how experiencing Catalina, as well as California, for the first time feels, we sat down with the Downe House girls to hear a little bit more about what it’s really like to trade the English countryside for the Monterey coast.
What were you most excited about when coming to America?
Tilly: “When I first came to America, I was excited to meet all the new people, and try all of the new foods that I can’t get in England, as well as being in a different school and seeing the differences between ours and theirs […] I also heard that there was an aquarium, and I wanted to go there– and we did! So, I was very excited to see all the otters!”
What’s the biggest difference you’ve noticed between American and British schools?
Willow: “I think the biggest difference I’ve noticed was how different the lesson style is. Everyone works a lot more collaboratively; you focus more on working in groups, and your teachers talk to you more in lessons, so you are kinda all working together. In England, […] the teacher just talks to you, and you just have to fill in the worksheets.”
What has been your favorite food that you have tried while you have been here?
Carlota: “I really liked the corn dogs we tried at the Wharf.”
Uwai: “For school food, it would be the orange chicken, but for fast food, definitely Chick-fil-A!”
Tilly: “In-N-Out for sure, but I also really liked the school’s poke bowls!”
Photo 2: Willow, Isabel (host), Carlota, Uwai, and Tilly try In-N-Out for the first time in Seaside.
What are some of the most asked questions while you’ve been here?
Willow: “We get asked about our different phrases and language. A lot of people have asked us to say things like ‘Harry Potter’ and ‘bottle of water.’ We also get asked how long we are staying in America, our school food in the UK vs. the US, how much phone time we have in the dorms at home, school life in the UK, and about where we live and how England is different from America.”
What are you most excited to tell your friends and family about your exchange when you get back to England?
Tilly: “I’m excited to tell them about all the friends and memories I’ve made, along with all the foods I’ve tried. I also can’t wait to bring back all my souvenirs from the trip, including some saltwater taffy I bought for my dad to try! Also, I can’t wait to tell them about all the weekend activities we did in more detail than over the phone, how different the curriculum is, and how beautiful the school is.”
What has been the biggest culture shock while you have been here?
Uwai: “The biggest culture shock since being here has probably just been the way that you guys do school here. For example, you guys do algebra, geometry, and calculus. While in the UK, we just do math. Also, in England we drive on the left side of the road, but here in America you drive on the right. Also, especially in the area you live in around Monterey, there’s a lot more scenery to see, whereas in England we have more cities and more London-like areas. And I love that in this school you are allowed to go out!”
What has been the most unexpected thing that you have witnessed in America?
Carlota: “The most unexpected thing from America is the food portions. There is no way people actually finish those in one sitting.”
What do you miss most about England that we don’t have here in the US?
Uwai: “Everything in America is better! I can’t think of anything I miss.”
Tilly: “I like my cups of tea, okay!”
Willow: “I miss the countryside and the woods.”
What will you miss most when you leave America?
Uwai: “When I leave America, I will miss all the food you have here, all the people I’ve made friends with, all the memories here, and everything in America that is so great. These past two weeks have genuinely been so exciting, and we thank everyone who has made this experience heartfelt and wonderful.”
Willow: “I’m gonna miss all my friends I’ve made, and I’m also gonna miss all the opportunities you guys have here. Like all the American things! And yeah!”
Uwai: “Yeah, we have met so many people here, and they are all so nice!”
As the Downe house girls prepare to return to England, they bring with them more than just souvenirs and jetlag. From new friendships to experiences that they may never have had back home, their exchange has given them a glimpse into a different way of life, and hopefully, a reason to return someday.
Photo 3: Willow, Tilly, Uwai, and Carlota look at jellyfish at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
