Study abroad

P LY ABR STUDENTS EXPERIENCE ONLINE SCHOOL FROM AFAR

Text by NAOMI BONEH here,” Saxon said. Saxon said. “Also with away games, many and OLIVIA MILNE 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 AFTER CLOSING THE Zoom screen on his computer at the end of 3rd period, Palo Alto High School senior Jack Compton wanders out of his room into the humid the United States while continuing all of his Paly classes — in addition to a German course through the soccer program. “It’s definitely hard to focus when you have a test at 11 p.m., but I’m dealing you in a van all together.” One drawback to the study abroad experience Saxon has faced is being air of the Costa Rican highland rainforest. Looking out at the impressive mass of trees His average day consists of going with it pretty well right physically away from his friends shrouded in mist, he takes in the beauty of to German class in now.” in Palo Alto. Althe scenery where he studies abroad. the morning, soccer — KIP SAXON, junior though it’s not the

Although online school presents many practice in the af- same 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 dif- Like 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 Zoom classes at night due to the time difference of being halfway across the world. “I once did a rain cleanse by myself, where I sat out in the rain for a good half an compared to Germany, such as the juxtaposition in atmospheres before and after games. For example, in Monteverde, Costa Rica with the study abroad program CIS Abroad. While usually focused on college students, the program expanded to high school students during the pandemic to provide an opportunity to experience new Saxon relocated to Dreshour and just let the rain the U.S., club soccer players rarely countries. The program’s goal to provide an engaging experience and change in perspecden, Germany, fall on to me.” use locker rooms tive motivated Compton to attend. for the whole — JACK COMPTON, senior to change before 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

OAD

RAINFOREST TREKS — Senior Jack Compton stands on a bridge in Cloud Forest Reserve in Monteverde, Costa Rica, taking a photo via self-timer. When not in online school, he often takes hikes with other high school students at the campus where he lives. Photo: Jack Compton

biodiversity, heavy rainfall and a persistent sheet of clouds.

“There’s a lot of wildlife here, like different insects and beautiful hummingbirds that we get to see every day,” Compton said. “I once did a rain cleanse by myself, where I sat out in the rain for a good half an hour and just let the rain fall on to me, and that was pretty cool.”

As Costa Rica is only one hour ahead of California and the CIS campus has stable internet connection, Compton says it wasn’t difficult to adjust to attending school, and he was even able to sleep in another hour in the morning due to the time difference. He didn’t need any accommodations in his classes, except for AP 3-D Art and Design.

“I’m doing independent work in my art class because I don’t have clay or different supplies that I would regularly have at home,” Compton said. “One of my plans [was] to paint the side of a building as one of my projects.”

A significant difficulty of studying abroad is missing family and friends back home; however, Compton did not find this to be an issue.

“I call my family every single day when I’m here, just to see how they’re doing and connect with them,” Compton said.

Compton had intended to take a gap year since before the pandemic, and still holds out hope that he will be able to do that.

“I want to gain way more experiences before I really start studying,” Compton said. “I’m probably going to be traveling in Europe, but I’m also thinking of maybe coming back here to CIS Costa Rica and staying here — working on the farm and all that. They even just had a new baby cow, who we get to take care of. Everybody is super, super welcoming, and it’s a really great place here.”