P LY A B R STUDENTS EXPERIENCE ONLINE SCHOOL FROM AFAR Text by NAOMI BONEH and OLIVIA MILNE
here,” Saxon said. Saxon said. “Also with away games, many In Germany, Saxon plays soccer with parents are less invested in their children’s boys his age from all around Germany and activities so here [in Germany] they take the United States you in a van all toFTER CLOSING THE Zoom while continuing all gether.” screen on his computer at the of his Paly classes — It’s definitely hard to foOne drawback end of 3rd period, Palo Alto in addition to a Gerto the study abroad cus when you have a test experience Saxon High School senior Jack Comp- man course through at 11 p.m., but I’m dealing has faced is being ton wanders out of his room into the humid the soccer program. air of the Costa Rican highland rainforest. His average day physically away with it pretty well right Looking out at the impressive mass of trees consists of going from his friends shrouded in mist, he takes in the beauty of to German class in now.” in Palo Alto. Al— KIP SAXON, junior though it’s not the the scenery where he studies abroad. the morning, soccer Although online school presents many practice in the afsame as staying challenges to high school students, it intro- ternoon and then Paly classes from 8 p.m. local, Saxon has found technology to be a duces a new opportunity for those inter- to midnight because of the nine-hour time great method to connect with his friends ested in experiencing new places while still change. According to Saxon, the shifted back home. attending their classes over Zoom. schedule was challenging to get used to. “We get on calls sometimes and play In the past, if a Paly student wanted “It’s definitely hard to focus when you video games together but it’s a little tough to study abroad they would have to trans- have a test at 11 p.m., but I’m dealing with because of the time difference,” Saxon said. fer to a school in their new physical loca- it pretty well right now,” Saxon said. Saxon’s experience abroad has motition. Now that Paly, along with many other One of Saxon’s favorite parts of being vated him to consider attending college in schools across the nation, has transitioned in Germany is getting to play soccer with a Germany. to distance learning due to the COVID-19 new group of people. “If I get proficient enough in German, pandemic, classes are accessible from any“Some of them know enough English I could potentially come here for college where in the world with a strong Internet to communicate, but it’s a unique experi- and not have to pay $40,000 to attend colconnection. v ence in the way that there may be a lan- lege in the U.S. because it is free in Germaguage barrier but your passion for the sport ny,” Saxon says. “I’m definitely looking into Dresden, Germany and the friendships that you built from that that as an option for my future.” Looking past his computer screen, are not hindered by that barrier,” Saxon junior Kip Saxon glances out his window said. Monteverde, Costa Rica at the starry night sky. While most of his Culturally, Saxon also sees many difLike Saxon, Compton has taken adclassmates are just waking up, Saxon at- ferences between playing soccer in the U.S. vantage of distance learning, relocating to tends his Paly compared to Ger- Monteverde, Costa Rica with the study Zoom classes at many, such as the abroad program CIS Abroad. night due to the I once did a rain cleanse by juxtaposition in While usually focused on college time difference atmospheres before students, the program expanded to high myself, where I sat out in of being halfway and after games. school students during the pandemic to across the world. the rain for a good half an For example, in provide an opportunity to experience new Saxon relothe U.S., club soc- countries. The program’s goal to provide an hour and just let the rain cated to Drescer players rarely engaging experience and change in perspecden, Germany, fall on to me.” use locker rooms tive motivated Compton to attend. — JACK COMPTON, senior to change before for the whole Compton, who returned to Palo Alto school year to games — they sim- after two months, resided on a campus with take part in a soccer program he hopes will ply meet on the field in their soccer gear. four bungalows and a farm, and with 10 take his skills to the next level. “Here [in Germany] we have locker other teens and seven staff members largely “Soccer isn’t as popular in the U.S. as it rooms that we come to 20 minutes before from the U.S. The area is located in Cloud is in Europe, so I get a lot more recognition practice to change and get ready together,” Forest Reserve, a protected forest with high
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32 DECEMBER 2020
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