Foreign exchange student Gabriel in pursuit of American dream

Americans import fashion from France, salsa from Spain and now Olivia Gabriel from Germany. The new foreign exchange student from the small town of Russelsheim will stay in Wylie until she departs for Germany next summer.

Things most students take for granted like the excitement of football season, school spirit during homecoming week and the glam of prom are exactly what Gabriel is looking forward to experiencing first hand during her time at an American school.

“I’m so excited about prom,” Gabriel said. “Every foreign exchange student is talking about it. I’m also really happy to see American football up close. We don’t have it in Germany.”

According to Gabriel, not only is everything bigger in Texas, everything is bigger in America.

“In my dreams I thought the U.S. would be huge but now that I’m here it’s even bigger,” Gabriel said. “It’s also nice that everywhere I go and tell people I’m a foreign exchange student, they want to talk with me.”

Gabriel is not in culture shock, but she has noticed a lot of differences between the U.S. and her own home.

“I think [the U.S. schools] are the opposite of German schools,” Gabriel said. “I would prefer a mix of both school systems, because in Germany the schools are more strict and we are more respectful to teachers. In America the classes are more fun because you can pick them unlike in Germany. Our school spirit isn’t anything like it is here.”

Gabriel’s English teacher, Melinda Black, is as excited about teaching Gabriel as Gabriel is about her new American classes.

“Olivia is a lovely young lady with a great work ethic,” Black said. “She strives to be successful in the classroom and she has tons to offer other students due to her background.  I look forward to teaching her more about writing and helping her expand her English vocabulary, but I also look forward to what she teaches other young minds and me.”

The Nortons, a local family without any kids attending school, will host Gabriel throughout her time in the U.S., however Gabriel is still homesick for her actual parents.

“My host family is the best,” Gabriel said. “They would do everything for me. It’s often the little things I miss about my family the most. I only get to Skype one time per week or two weeks with my mom. My organization forbids to Skype more or chat more often than one time per week so that we don’t get homesick.”

Through the changes, cultural differences and language barrier Gabriel is thrilled to have the chance to experience what she sees in all the movies and television shows back home.

“I want to see the school spirit and American life,” Gabriel said. “And of course perfect my English.”