Exchange Students

Frameables

Meet the AHS exchange students

Axeri Ramirez

Reporter

Despite Humboldt’s cold weather, Arcata High School welcomes five exchange students this year with a warm hug.

Their names are Jean Thuy, Djessika Mavambe, Sonke Wessels, Sultan “Malik” Shaleh and Maria de las Mercedes Caram.

When asked how she ended up in Humboldt, German exchange student Jean Thuy shared that “I got a really big scholarship so I could be placed anywhere in the US.”

She said she was really lucky to be placed in Arcata with her host Maria Matteo. She explaind that the people here are so open minded and she also loves the beautiful landscapes.

Thuy shared that in Germany people weren’t as friendly in passing.

She appreciates that people here come up and greet her whenever they see her around school.

Another German exchange student, Sonke Wessels, said that he feels welcomed in Arcata and his experience has been great so far.

“Maybe the American school system should be a bit more like the German school system because I think the general knowledge is bigger from German students than some American students,” he stated.

Another exchange student attending AHS is Sultan “Malik” Saleh from Quotidiana, Indonesia, on the Island of Borneo. One of the major differences between his hometown and Humboldt is the climate, Saleh shares.

“My city is on the equator line… so it’s always hot...but here, I don’t think it’s ever really hot,” he stated.

He explained how he attended an all boys boarding school back home, a dramatic change from Arcata High School.

“Living in the US has always been like a dream to me… and it’s very nice I’m here now,” he said.

He says he feels very welcomed here and people in Humboldt are nice to him. He experienced the first Halloween of his life with his roommate, who is also an exchange student from Japan.

Djessika Mavambe is an exchange student from Mozambique, Africa.

“I chose to study here because it has been my dream since I was a child,” she explained when asked why she chose to study in the US.

“In Mozambique, the people are more traditional and here, I think the people are more modern,” she explained

Her first language is Portuguese so English was a huge change.

“The first month, I was not feeling welcomed… now it feels like home,” she said. ”Being an exchange student is the best thing you can do in your life. It’s not about the 16 years you’ve lived in your comfort zone, it’s about the 10 months you’ll remember and be proud of forever,” she stated

To students of Arcata High, let’s make these students feel welcomed.

Reach out and say hi if you see them around campus, and remember that any little act of kindness is important.