A MAGAZINE MADE BY: EF HIGH SCHOOL EXCHANGE YEAR
THE EXCHANGE PAGE 08
ADVENTURE IN IRELAND PAGE 22
THE UK THROUGH MY LENS PAGE 26
EVERYTHING IS BIGGER IN TEXAS
1 PAG E
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GO D E R BIG
03 The Exchange
INSIDE
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Mario from Spain experienced all that the great outdoors has to offer on his exchange year in Ireland.
What’s it really like to spend a year living in a brand new country? We gave video cameras to 30 EF students to find out.
As a varsity cheerleader in Minnesota, Rosan from the Netherlands knows about hometown high school spirit.
#EFEXCHANGESTORIES Student exchange is about bringing people together,
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sharing cultures, understanding our differences, and learning what it is that we have in common. That’s what
Go Cornhuskers! More than 400 EF exchange students, families and staff came together to cheer on the local University football team in Lincoln, Nebraska.
The Exchange is about too. This magazine is a chance to share students’ stories from abroad, to see what makes the exchange experience unforgettable, and to have a little fun along the way. The world of EF High School Exchange Year spans the globe — from cities and
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towns in the US, UK and Ireland, to our students’ home
Everyday throughout their year, students and host families are sharing their unique experiences with #efexchangestories.
countries in Europe and Asia, to every corner of the world where a former exchange student is pursuing an international career. Every exchange story is different.
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What will your story be?
A lot can change over the course of a year. Lea from Austria gives us a peek inside her journey as an exchange student in the UK.
26 For Marie from Switzerland and Mille from Denmark, living in Texas was like a brand new world. Discover what life is really like in the Lone Star State.
ON THE COVER Sondre from Norway cheers for the Nebraska Cornhuskers at his first US college football game.
30 Interning at EF’s Global Student Leader’s Summit was a life-changing experience for Álvaro from Spain. Learn how this class of ’15 student is fighting for human rights.
04 #efminnesota
Location: Minnesota | USA
05 The Exchange
5 QUESTIONS WITH ROSAN
MINNESOTA MEMORIES
What do you love about Minnesota?
basketball games. Our basketball team
I love the people in Minnesota. It’s pretty
made it to the semi-final round of the state
obvious why they call the people in this
tournament. We got to cheer in front of
state “Minnesota nice.” I had heard stories
2,000 people! The school spirit was amazing.
about how connected people were in small
Everyone was standing and there were so
communities in the US. Back home in
many fans from both schools. There were
Amsterdam, we rarely even say hi to our
press—radio and news channels—and the
next door neighbors. On my first day of
atmosphere was incredible. It was something
school everybody said hi to me. It was so
I will never forget.
nice and I felt welcome right away. It’s the people that I’ve met here that have made my experience so special.
How did your host family impact your exchange year? It was just me and my American mom and
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Why did you decide to go on an exchange year?
dad at home. I had cheer, choir and the
I visited the West Coast when I was younger
when I got home at night to relax with my
and fell in love with the US. I’ve wanted to
host parents. Without them, my exchange
live in America ever since, to walk through
year would not have been possible. They
the halls of an American high school and
opened their heart and their home to me
experience the life of an American student.
and I’m very thankful for that.
school musical during the day so it was great
School spirit does not exist back home. you just go to take class. American school
What does an exchange year mean to you?
spirit is unique. There’s so much pride
It means getting out of your comfort zone.
and community.
Leaving everything you’ve known your
We don’t have sports or activities at school,
whole life behind and starting over. Making
“It’s the people that I’ve met here that have made my experience so special.” ROSAN, EXCHANGE STUDENT FROM THE NETHERLANDS
What’s your favorite memory from your exchange year?
new friends, living with another family,
I’ve always loved to dance and
doing brand new things and learning a
sing, but I didn’t know anything about
lot about yourself!
going to a new school, learning English,
cheerleading before coming to the States. I ended up trying out for the varsity cheerleading team and got the opportunity to perform at all of our football and
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Meet Rosan, a student from the Netherlands who spent her EF High School Exchange Year embracing the bigtime spirit of a smalltime town in southwestern Minnesota.
Learn more at ef.com/highschool
1 ) Yellow school buses 2 ) Ice skating with friends 3 ) Hanging on the tractor
06 #efminnesota
Location: Minnesota | USA
07 The Exchange
“[An exchange year] means getting out of your comfort zone. Leaving everything you’ve known your whole life behind and starting over.” ROSAN, EXCHANGE STUDENT FROM THE NETHERLANDS
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Learn more at ef.com/highschool
1 ) Barrels of fun 2 ) Cheer ready 3 ) Rosan and her host family 4 ) Winter in Minnesota
Location: County Kerry | Ireland
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09 The Exchange
ADVENTURE IN IRELAND
THE GREAT OUTDOORS “My host family lived on a mountain farm in the very south of the country. It was a really colorful town right on a river.”” MARIO, EXCHANGE STUDENT FROM SPAIN
“I loved the idea of everything being green,”
In addition to enjoying life on his host
says Mario, an exchange student from Spain
family’s farm, Mario had the unique
who spent his year in Cahersiveen, Ireland.
experience of participating in a Transition
“I grew up in the city of Barcelona, so it was
Year while on his exchange. In Ireland,
exciting for me to be near mountains and in
transition years take place after a student
more rural areas. My host family lived on a
completes their Junior Certificate. This
farm in the very south of the country. It was
year is intended to help students discover
a really colorful town right on a river.”
their interests and learn a broader set of skills outside of the traditional classroom
Ireland is ideal for adventurers and observers
setting. “The Transition Year experience was
alike. Whether you are exploring the coastal
incredible,” Mario says. “You study, but you
landscapes of Connemara in County Galway,
also do outdoor activities and explore the
walking the smooth stones of the Giants
country. We played sports, went camping in
Causeway in County Antrim, or peering
the mountains and biked along the winding
dangerously over the rugged Cliffs of Moher
roads. A highlight was going kayaking off the
in County Clare, there are an endless number
coast. Seals followed us as we paddled along!
of things to see and places to go. Even the
I had never seen a seal before other than at
weather has character. “It does rain a lot,
the zoo.”
but you get used to it,” Mario explains. “You appreciate everything much more when the sun comes out. The reason Ireland is so green and lush is because of the rain. It snows in the mountains in the winter, and by the
From acres of rolling countryside to stretches of sandy beach, Ireland is a beloved destination for those that enjoy both the grandiose and the quainter aspects of life.
Learn more at ef.com/highschool
time we left in the spring it was warm. I really miss the weather. Standing on a mountaintop is more beautiful when you are in the clouds!”
11 The Exchange
Location: County Kerry | Ireland
10 #efexchangeIE
One activity that Mario never
Adventure in Ireland doesn’t stop at
expected to be introduced to while
hiking and surfing. It is a place for
in Ireland was surfing.
lovers of horseback riding and golf, as well as orienteering and rugby. At the
“Surfing is a big thing here,” he
same time, Ireland is perfect for those
explains. “Whenever I used to think
who simply like to take the beauty in
of surfing, I always pictured warm
from afar. Seashores with stretches
weather and places like California
of sandy beach roll into mountains
or Australia. I didn’t know that it is
cut with clear streams and historic
popular in Ireland. There is a big surf
castles sit among forests of fresh pine.
culture.” While Mario never actually
Whether you’re studying the Bronze
got in the water himself—“it was
Age forts of the Aran Islands or
too cold,” he explains—he enjoyed
riding a ten-foot wave on a beach
partaking in the sport from afar. “I
in Bundoren, Ireland’s got it all.
loved to take pictures and watch the surfers ride the waves,” he says. “It depended on the day, but the waves were usually really big.”
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1 ) Transition Year activities 2 ) Surfing in Ireland 3 ) Rugby with friends 3
Learn more at ef.com/highschool
12 #efexchangestories
13 The Exchange
EPISODE 2: LIFE AT CAMP Students attend EF International High School Camp, including a visit to the Statue of Liberty! REC
THE EXCHANGE LIFE
EPISODE 1: LEAVING HOME Students say good-bye to their home countries and embark on the journey to meet their host families.
EPISODE 3: WELCOME TO THE US, UK AND IRELAND Students finally meet their host families in person for the first time.
EF STUDENT VIDEO CREW See the world through their eyes at theexchangelife.com
EPISODE 4: GOING TO SCHOOL The first day of high school has finally arrived!
“I love capturing and sharing my moments for the EF Student Video Crew. I’m living wonderful experiences and I can say that becoming an exchange student is the best decision I have ever made.” GAIA, EXCHANGE STUDENT FROM ITALY
EPISODE 5: IT’S GAME DAY EPISODE 6: THANKSGIVING
Friday night means cheering for your high school football team!
Students in the US experience Thanksgiving, a traditional holiday filled with friends, family and lots of food.
EPISODE 7: CHRISTMAS Across the US, UK, and Ireland our students experience Christmas in a totally new way.
Watch more at theexchangelife.com
14 #efnebraska
15 The Exchange
19 The Exchange
Location: Nebraska | USA
16 #efnebraska
TAILGATE ESSENTIALS
T-SHIRTS, SLOPPY JOES AND A SEA OF RED
A NEBRASKA TRADITION
The morning of the game, Pam and her
served food, a few took pictures and the
two exchange students packed up their
rest were giving the students temporary
car with hamburger buns, chips, cookies,
tattoos (with sayings like “Nebraska,”
vegetables and more. They arrived at the
“Cornhuskers,” or “Touchdown”).
If you’ve ever been to a stadium parking lot before a big sporting event, then you’re familiar with an American tailgate. Named after the open tailgate of a car, which often serves as the counter for the food, tailgates are a time to grill on the BBQ and hang out with friends before the game. Check out some of our classic tailgate essentials below.
stadium parking lot ready to set up tents, tables, ice chests and trash cans for the
With EF staff from the Europe and Asia
big day.
offices, this year’s event had an extra special excitement for everyone involved.
“We ordered t-shirts so everybody was wearing the same one,” Pam says. “The
“It was really cool,” says Pam. “Our EF staff
host families’ t-shirts said ‘I’m bringing the
from around the world got the chance to
world to cheer for the Huskers,’ and the
see what Nebraska is like and talk to the
students’ t-shirts said ‘I came all the way
students about their schools. Host families
from Italy – or whatever country they
and could actually see them interacting
come from – to cheer for the Huskers.’”
with one another.”
Pam may have organized the event, but
“The students were equally as excited.
she got a lot of help from fellow host
Many of them would run to find the
families in her area. One family made
EF staff member that brought them to
sloppy joes – a quintessential American
the US. The students were proud to have
sandwich comprised of ground beef,
their country represented. And the
onions and ketchup – and another brought
Norwegians brought chocolate, which
tables and ice chests. Some families
is my all-time favorite.”
Sloppy Joes
Hot dogs
Hamburgers
Chips
Cookies
Vegetables
NEBRASKA FIGHT SONGS Fight songs are one of the oldest traditions at college football games. As a way for fans to cheer on their teams, these songs serve as a source of pride for the college or university. Try your hand at the University of Nebraska’s most popular fight songs!
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“ The game was an amazing all-American experience. It’s one of those things you have to try, even if you don’t care about sports. The atmosphere is just incredible and it’s cool to see how everyone gets super into it!” JULIE, EXCHANGE STUDENT FROM DENMARK
Pam and her husband Mike have been hosting EF students for 6 years. This year they’re happy to have Paolo from Italy and Sondre from Norway in the family.
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Every fall, Pam, a host mom from Papillion, Nebraska, gathers host families and students from all over the state to watch the University of Nebraska’s football team, the Huskers, play at their home stadium.
The tradition started five years ago, with just a few students from Pam’s neighborhood. At the end of the year when Pam asked those students which group activities she should repeat the next year, the students were all in agreement: the Huskers game was at the top of the list. The next year, 50 people joined in. The following year the numbers climbed even higher. By last year almost 287 students and host families
“ The stadium had over 10 times more people than my hometown, and I was so impressed that all these people came to watch college football. The atmosphere was amazing. Music, fireworks and 90,000 people cheering gives you a special feeling that you won’t get many other places.”
attended the game, and this year – thanks in part to EF staff members in
After everyone had their fill of sloppy
adrenaline of being in the stadium, the
joes, snacks, water, and yes, Norwegian
noise, the excitement and the sea of red.”
“I always try to give my students as many experiences as possible and I
stadium. They got to their seats in time
For Pam, the most special thing about
to see the band march in and the players
the event is how host the host families
warming up. Once the game started, the
and students get to share such a beloved
excitement tripled.
cultural experience together.
“The students couldn’t believe the
“The families that have season tickets,
fireworks on that first touchdown,” says
they live for these games. So for them to
Pam. “Also, it’s a tradition on the first
be able to share something they love so
touchdown for everybody in the stadium
much with their student is a very special
to release red balloons. It looks like a sky
moment. I think the students appreciate
of red. The students were amazed.”
that their family is sharing it with them,
VIDEO / A NEBRASKA TRADITION exchangestories.com
their student is so engaged in doing
details of the game.
something they love.”
“Some of the students didn’t understand
“It’s definitely a bonding moment. Until
football, but they were still like, ‘Wow!
you’ve been in a college stadium to watch
This is so awesome! I can’t believe it’s
a football game, you can’t really explain it.”
Learn more at ef.com/highschool
so noisy here. It’s so loud!’ It’s just the 3
1 ) Sharing cultures 2 ) Tailgating before the big game 3 ) The teams faceoff 4 ) Cheering the Huskers
TEAM SPIRIT Since 1903, more than 700 students have been members of the Nebraska Huskers cheerleading squads. Today, 18 students continue this tradition of “rooting” for the Huskers and serve as ambassadors for the University of Nebraska.
and I think the families appreciate that Of course, not everybody followed the
think a college football game – whether you’re a fan or not – is something they should experience,” Pam says. “The kids love it.”
HAIL VARSITY
Hail to the team The stadium rings as everyone sings, The Scarlet and Cream. Cheers for a victory, echo our loyalty; So, on mighty men, The eyes of the land, upon every hand, Are looking at you. Fight on for victory Hail to the Men of Nebraska U.
chocolate, the group headed to the
HÅVARD, EXCHANGE STUDENT FROM NORWAY
attendance – Pam welcomed 406 people to the event.
DEAR OLD NEBRASKA U
There is no place like Nebraska Dear old Nebraska U. Where the girls are the fairest, The boys are the squarest, Of any old school that I knew. There is no place like Nebraska, Where they’re all true blue. We’ll all stick together, In all kinds of weather, For Dear old Nebraska U!
THE BALLOON TRADITION The University of NebraskaLincoln balloon release is a longstanding ritual among Husker fans. Attendees can purchase red balloons before entering the stadium to release into the air after Nebraska scores their first touchdown.
21 The Exchange
20 #efexchangestories @s_vivesssss Cliffs of Moher! #efdiscovery tours #efexchangestories #efexchangeUK #efexchangeIE
@julieniff Living the English dream #efexchangestories #efexchangeyearUK @romy.maessen Today is the day… #efclassof17 #efexchangestories
The simplest moments are some of the best. #efexchangestories Follow us. facebook.com/efexchangeyear @emmavarotto Horseback riding #efexchangestories
instagram.com/efexchangeyear
#EFEXCHANGESTORIES @rachelejburton A fun tradition when welcoming exchange students to Sacramento – first meal @in.and.out.burgers!
@vinchephoto Paddle surfing in Hawaii! #efdiscoverytours #efexchangestories #waikikibeach
@_evadoser_ Last night was awesome! It was the last home game of the football season. The school spirit is just amazing! #efalabama #efexchangestories #seniornight #saints
@pcysasi When you become an exchange student, your life is not so boring anymore! #eastsaccountyhigh #Raiders #efexchangestories @akselmurvold Happy that I now have an awesome prom date! #efprom #efexchangestories
Learn more at ef.com/highschool
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Location: Doncaster, United Kingdom
THE UK THROUGH MY LENS It’s amazing to see how much can change over the course of one year. Take a peek inside Lea’s world to experience the life-changing journey of one EF High School Exchange Year student. THOUGHTS AND PHOTOS BY LEA, EXCHANGE STUDENT FROM AUSTRIA
Find your journey at ef.com/highschool
23 The Exchange
24 #efexchangeUK
Location: Doncaster, United Kingdom
25 The Exchange
BLOG ENTRIES Fall 2015 I’ve been in the UK for nearly a month now and I already feel like I’ve experienced a whole new life. I have adjusted pretty well and am slowly getting used to everything here. I still want to get in the car on the wrong side and I still have problems with picking the right coins out of my wallet, but give me some time and I won’t even remember these struggles. Winter 2016 I have settled into my routine. My English gets a little better every day. Realizing this feels incredible because you actually start living, thinking and dreaming in this language. Speaking German is now weirder than speaking English. Spring 2016 This year I have grown and become independent. The expression “exchange isn’t a year in a life, it is a life in a year” has taken on a whole new meaning for me. I know it seems like one of those hollow sayings that is nice to hear but can at the end the day be forgotten. I’ll tell you what, I won’t forget it ever again because it is insanely true.
FAVORITE SPOTS Manchester. Full of culture, lovely restaurants, art, second-hand shopping and streets that confirm your idea of an English city. Roam through the lanes, drift from vintage shop to vintage shop, pock through old record stores and enjoy a coffee and some cake in a hidden café. Liverpool may not be the prettiest place in the UK but it has character and charm and is so down-to-earth. If you ever plan
“ This year has made me want to travel further and further, and one day I will hopefully have the chance to leave whenever I want to, to go wherever it takes me.” LEA, EXCHANGE STUDENT FROM AUSTRIA
on going there I highly recommend “The Beatles Story.” The Beatles made great music and someone made a great museum out of it. London is a magical place and without any doubt one of my favorite cities of all that I have ever been to. A favorite place to go to in London is Covent Garden. The street artists, the shops, the food and the atmosphere stir the imagination. Brighton is unlike many other towns. The Pier itself isn’t too different from other theme parks, but it has got that certain something. It’s the air and the style – that English style. At dusk the sea is calm and it is dark enough to see the lamps but still bright enough to see the rest of the beach and ocean beyond.
Find your journey at ef.com/highschool
27 The Exchange
Location: Texas | USA
26 #eftexas
BOOT CHAPS AND COWBOY HATS
EVERYTHING IS BIGGER IN TEXAS
That is not to say that Texans don’t embrace
everything from concert venues to dance
their Southwestern culture, especially when
halls, as well as some of the best BBQ in
it comes to giving EF students an authentic
town. “On Sunday nights they have dance
taste of the local traditions. Judy takes her
lessons,” Christine tells us. “It is mostly line
students to the Mesquite Championship
dancing but also country dancing in general.
Rodeo every year, where they have the
They teach a 2 step, a 3 step, a country waltz
opportunity to watch real cowboys compete
and even the cotton eye joe. It has become a
in Bareback, Saddle Bronc and Bull Riding
tradition to get all the students to go.”
competitions as well as Steer Wrestling, Roping and Barrel Racing events. She
The actual dancing, however, is not as easy
buys them their own cowboy hats and red
as it looks. “They kept on adding steps so it
bandanas and brings everyone together for
was hard to keep up,” Mille says. Christine
a day of family fun. “The Rodeo is a local
adds, “The students have fun with it, even if
thing,” Judy explains. “It’s the official state
they are having trouble with the movements
sport of Texas - it’s not just for the tourists!”
or don’t like the music. Like anything that you learn for the first time, you are not
It’s got local rodeos, state fairs and a whole lot of heart. Marie from Switzerland and Mille from Denmark tell us what life is really like in the Lone Star State. 2
Christine, a host mom from Denton, prefers
going to be an expert right away. They are
to get her students feet-a-moving. Each
stumbling over each other’s feet and mixing
January, Christine takes her kids to the Fort
up the steps but laughing the whole time.
Worth Stockyards to learn how to line-
This year I got to try it with my Japanese
dance at Billy Bob’s Texas. Built in 1910 as
son. He and I danced for a long time and it
an open-air barn to house prize cattle, Billy
was really special.”
Bob’s is known as the world’s largest Honky Tonk, or country music bar, on record. It has
“Everything was so huge to me,” says Marie
‘Everything is bigger in Texas’ for fun. I tell it
when asked about her first impression
to people and they laugh at me, but it really
of Texas. “It was huge and it was flat.” As
is true!”
“ The students have so much fun with [line-dancing]. Like anything that you learn for the first time, you are not going to be an expert right away. They are stumbling over each other’s feet... but laughing the whole time.”
an exchange student from Fribourg, a
Christine and her family have hosted over 25 students with EF. They live at the top of an area known as The Golden Triangle, where Interstate 35 splits to form a triangle between the cities of Denton, Dallas and Fort Worth.
village that sits upon a rocky hill in eastern
As the second largest state in the US, Texas
Switzerland, it comes as no surprise how
has it all. From the deserts of the Big Bend
amazed Marie was by the vast and open
to its coastline along the Gulf of Mexico to
landscape that is northeast Texas. Mille
the cities of Houston, San Antonio, Dallas
agrees. “I grew up in a small town west of
and Austin, Texas is a melting pot of varied
Copenhagen,” she explains. “I don’t know
landscapes, diverse cultures, agricultural
if it is Texas or just America in general,
wealth and high tech industries. “At first
but everything is bigger here – from the
I thought Texas was really country,” Mille
refrigerators to the pillows on the couch
says. “I was imagining horses and deserts in
and even the paper towels. I mean, when I
the middle of nowhere. So, when I pulled
returned to Denmark it took me weeks to get
up to our house in this very American
used to the paper towels again because they
neighborhood I was surprised. It was pretty
are half the size!”
much the opposite of everything I expected
CHRISTINE, HOST MOM FROM TEXAS
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in the best way possible.” This is nothing that Judy, an EF host mom who grew up in Dallas, hasn’t heard before. “People think we use the expression
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1 ) Texas city sign 2 ) Mille line-dancing 3 ) Fun at Billy Bob’s Texas
29 The Exchange
Location: Texas | USA
28 #eftexas
TEXAN TRADITIONS Perhaps the most exciting Texan
Texas State Fair, and Texas itself, has
tradition that EF students get the
to offer – a welcoming character, an
chance to experience each year is the
oversized spirit and a really good time.
Texas State Fair, which has been a historic part of the Dallas-Fort Worth
Whether it’s the football and sports
landscape since 1886. It’s such a
culture, which Christine describes
significant local event that the schools
as “over-the-top,” or the elaborate
in the area close down for a day. “It’s a
Homecoming Mums—Texan’s unique
huge deal,” Judy says. “They have a day
version of a flower corsage—that cover
reserved for each school district and
the entirety of their owner’s bodies,
the kids get tickets to go for free.”
everything is bigger in Texas.
With an endless number of games,
That sentiment, however, applies to
music, rides, shows and exhibitions
more than the physical. “Texans have
sprinkled across the 227-acre complex,
really big hearts,” says Marie. When
there is plenty to see and do. “You
asked what about her host state she
have the rodeo going on, livestock
misses the most, Mille notes that it’s
auctions, quilts on display, homemade
hard to separate the overall exchange
jam contests, automobile shows,
experience from the small, in-between
and of course all of the classic rides
moments, “I really miss my family and
and games,” Judy says. And nothing
I really miss my school,” she says, “But
epitomizes Texans love for all things
I also miss the huge sodas with the
big better than Big Tex himself, a 55-
free refills!”
COUNTRY MUSIC Polish up your cowboy boots and throw on a pair of blue jeans. These ten country songs will have you dancing all night long. 1.
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And while the free refills are nice, it is
point for Judy and her students.
clear that the people themselves are
Welcoming fairgoers with his friendly
what makes Texas so special.
2. One Of Those Nights Tim McGraw
“Before I went on my exchange I would ask previous students what the best part of their year was and they could never give me a specific answer. Now I understand why — it is the experience itself.”
drawl of “Howdy folks!” it’s safe to say that Big Tex symbolizes all that the
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6. Hillbilly Bone
Zac Brown Band
foot tall statue that watches over the fairgrounds and serves as a meeting
Chicken Fried
2 MILLE, EXCHANGE STUDENT FROM DENMARK
Blake Shelton 7.
House Party Sam Hunt
3. Summertime Kenny Chesney
8. Life Is A Highway Rascal Flatts
4. Before He Cheats Carrie Underwood
9. This Is Country Music Brad Paisley
5.
10. Our Song Taylor Swift
Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue Toby Keith
FOOD & DRINK With a blend of southern, western and Mexican influences, Texan cuisine has a lot to offer. Try the classics like BBQ and pecan pie, or switch things up with a little fried okra. Either way, you’ll be licking your fingers and asking for more!
SPORTS Sports are a way of life in Texas. Rodeo is the official state sport, but American football is also considered “King,” taken very seriously by high school, college and professional fans alike. Texas has the second-most national sports teams of any state in the U.S. Check them out below.
1 ) Dallas, home of the Texas State Fair 2 ) Cowboy ready for rodeo 3 ) American football
Learn more at ef.com/highschool
Professional sports teams: Dallas Mavericks (Basketball), San Antonio Spurs (Basketball), Houston Rockets (Basketball), Dallas Stars (Hockey), Dallas Cowboys (American Football), Houston Texans (American Football), Texas Rangers (Baseball), Houston Astros (Baseball)
Fajitas
Chicken fried steak
Chili
BBQ
Pecan pie
Fried okra
Chili con queso
Sweet tea
Dr. Pepper
THE ALAMO The Alamo is Texas’ most visited historic landmark. This 18th century fortress is famous for its role in Texas’ war for Independence from Mexico, when a small group of Texan volunteer soldiers warded off a group of Mexican soldiers numbering in the thousands. While the fortress was eventually sieged, today the Alamo is widely recognized as a symbol of Texan freedom.
30 #efexchangestories
FROM EXCHANGE STUDENT TO HUMAN RIGHTS AMBASSADOR
Location: The Hague | Netherlands
31 The Exchange
5 QUESTIONS WITH ÁLVARO What is the Global Student Leaders Summit?
“My year abroad opened my mind… I want to continue to explore the world, learn about different cultures and add memories and friends to my life’s map… my exchange year made me realize that.”
Every year, EF organizes a leadership conference for students from all over the
ÁLVARO, EXCHANGE STUDENT FROM SPAIN
world to attend. These Summits tackle
Traveling is the tonic to creativity. When
different global issues and gives the students
we were at the Summit, me and the other
that attend them the opportunity to design
interns realized that we can change the
and present their own solutions. This year
world. You just need to be in the right
the Global Student Leaders Summit was in
moment to know that anyone can do
The Hague, Netherlands and we addressed
anything. Together, we have decided to
the issue of Human Rights. In my application
create a non-profit organization. It is still
I said that the most important human right
in the starting phases, but we are excited
is access to education and I talked about the
to see it come to life.
domino effect, how if everybody is educated than little by little human rights will be acknowledged around the world. They liked my idea, so in addition to inviting me to join the program they also asked me to become an intern and help moderate. It was a huge
We sat down Álvaro from Spain, a member of EF’s class of 2015, to learn about his experiences interning at the 2016 Global Student Leaders Summit.
honor to be an intern.
I first went to the US everything was so different. I loved that. I quickly realized that my future is not going to be in one specific
other places. I want to continue to explore the world, learn about different cultures and
of the crowd of about 1,500 people as the
add memories and friends to my life’s map.
emcee. The whole weekend, though, was one of the best weekends of my life. So many things happened in such a short period of time. I met really inspiring people, including Ndaba Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela, and Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandi, and got very close with all of the other interns. Coming home I felt like a different person.
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Learn more at ef.com/highschool
My year abroad opened my mind. When
US again, but now I also want to travel to
One highlight would be speaking in front
1 ) Students at the Summit 2 ) The Hague, Netherlands 3 ) Arun Gandhi 4 ) Ndaba Mandela
How did your high school exchange year prepare you for this experience?
place or country. I would love to live in the
What was a highlight of the Summit?
1
What are you going to take away from your time at the Global Student Leaders Summit?
I don’t want the same thing every weekend! My exchange year made me realize that.
A MAGAZINE MADE BY: EF HIGH SCHOOL EXCHANGE YEAR
R U O Y T R A T S E G N A H C X E N OW Y R O ST COME AND MEET US TO LEARN MORE!
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Study abroad for a semester or year! ef.com/highschool