Mountain Valley High School is hosting five foreign students this year. From left, seated, are Aseniy Pisarev and Aizhan Tagaeva from Kyrgyzstan, and Ka Wai Yam from Hong Kong; standing, Panaramol Heammaphun from Thailand and Donghyeon No from South Korea.
RUMFORD — Mountain Valley High School is hosting five foreign exchange students this year, providing an environment for education and cross cultural experiences, and some surprises.
Panaramol Heammaphun, whose nickname is "Prim," said she had watched many American movies in her native Thailand and had certain expectations about the United States that haven't been borne out since her arrival this fall.
“People are nice here, not like in the movies,” the 17-year-old said.
Arseniy Pisarev, 15, from the country Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia, agreed.
“There is so much here — more books, technology. And people are much nicer that I expected,” he said.
Other foreign students attending MVHS are Donghyeon No, 15, of South Korea, Aizhan Tagaeva, 17, of Kyrgyzstan, and Ka Wai Yam, 18, of Hong Kong.
They, along with Telstar High School foreign exchange student, Supatach Vadhanachai, of Thailand, live with host families in Mexico.
All said they want to improve their English while here, and most have found living in a small town very different from the large cities they come from.
“It's very different, very quiet,” Ka Wai said. “People here all know each other.”
He said he wants to meet not only Americans but foreigners here as well. He and others have that opportunity when foreign students from area high schools travel together to other parts of the country.
“Everything about America looks nice,” Donghyeon said. “School is easier, and I like the American culture, the TV shows and music.”
Aizhan said she has found many surprises so far. She and her host family recently traveled to Virginia where she noticed how fast the cars traveled and how big the trucks are.
Ka Wai was particularly surprised to find so many pickup trucks in the River Valley area, and that many people have guns. He also had never seen people swim in a river, like they do in the Swift River in Mexico.
Aizhan wants to eventually go into international relations.
“I want to compare cultures and to experience an American high school,” she said.
She, and several others, also want to go to college in the United States, at least for part of their post-secondary education.
The high school's International Club helps the foreign students in their new surroundings and organizes special activities for them. One is a visit with middle school students in January.
Katlyn Burgess, a member of the International Club, said she likes being a member because she learns so much about different cultures. She'd like to be an exchange student, too, maybe to a Middle East country, she said.
eadams@sunjournal.com
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