From Belgium to Bonneville: One Student’s American Journey

Grisel Gonzalez
Editor-in-Chief
  Meet Joe Pierson, a senior and foreign exchange student who traveled all the way from her home country Belgium to submerge herself in the American way at Bonneville High School.
  For Pierson, life in the U.S. up to now has been quite different from Belgium. She mentions that school here focuses more on school spirit and extracurricular activities while in Belgium academics are the main priority and remain more formal. Furthermore, Pierson states that people in the U.S. are much more friendly and open. Pierson has always been curious about other cultures, and she wanted to challenge herself by living in a completely different environment alone. Pierson chose the U.S. because she had heard plenty about American culture previously. At first, it was intimidating for Pierson to travel to a different country because of the new language, the classes, and the people; however, the support from Pierson’s parents tremendously alleviated her stress. While Pierson’s parents were nervous about her being so distant from home, they remained extremely supportive and encouraging because they knew it would be an unforgettable experience and opportunity for Pierson to grow, improve her English, and immerse herself in another culture. When she feels homesick, Pierson enjoys calling her Belgium-based family and friends to share updates about her life in America. Pierson also tries to stay busy with activities and reminds herself that being in the U.S. as a foreign exchange student is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 
​  Pierson speaks about the difficulties of understanding English and feeling shy and embarrassed to speak it. However, having to speak English to her host family and people at school has brought her out of her shell and helps her feel more confident. Thus far, this experience has made Pierson more independent and self-reliant. Pierson states, “Living so far from home has taught me how to manage daily life, make decisions on my own, and adapt to new situations.” Thus far, Pierson has gained vital life skills such as communication and language skills, while also developing a deeper knowledge and appreciation for cultural differences and global perspectives. Among all these enriching experiences, Pierson’s favorite memory in the U.S. so far was attending her first football game. She exclaims, “It was awesome, and I was so happy to see this side of this sport!” Pierson’s one lasting piece of advice for other students who are thinking about going through the foreign exchange student program is to be open, curious, and willing to step out of their comfort zone. It is the best occasion for discovering not only a new culture, but also themselves!