La Vista interviews the new foreign exchange students for the 2021-22 school year.
Compiled by Marley Brennan, staff writer
and Katie Volk, staff writer
Lucia Dominguez Lopez
By Marley Brennan, staff writer
Senior Lucia Dominguez Lopez is a new foreign exchange student at Mira Costa.
She moved to Manhattan Beach from La Rioja, Spain in August and plans to stay for a year before going to college.
“I am loving living here so far and think going to college here would be incredible,” Lopez said. “After spending a year here, I will be able to choose where I want to go to college.”
Back in La Rioja, Lopez lived about three and a half hours from Madrid, and this was her first time coming to the United States. According to Lopez, it has been a big transition to move to California from Spain because of the culture and the lack of Spanish speakers in Manhattan Beach.
“The process of choosing a family is very long, you have to fill out many papers with your information and then that information goes to a different program where American families are looking for a person who fits them,” Lopez said.
Lopez came here through a foreign exchange agency, Global Link, that helped her find a place to live and a school where she would continue her education.
“People have been very nice to me, and many have even reached out to me,” Lopez said. “My teachers have also been supportive and they try to make sure I understand what they are talking about.”
Lopez is not fluent in English, so it is more difficult for her to be in class. However, she is taking AP Spanish since she is fluent in Spanish. Lopez said the little English she was taught at her school, called IES La Laboral, in Spain is much different than what is spoken in Manhattan Beach.
“In Spain, you begin to learn English when you are about 11 years old, but it is very different than true English,” Lopez said. “I do not have a translator who helps me in class, but I do have a tutor who helps me outside of class if I do not understand a lecture. ”
According to Lopez, the hardest part about moving to Manhattan Beach was the process of getting all the paperwork ready, since the requirements for this process were extensive. Lopez applied through Global Link, which also helps people find summer camps in different areas around the world.
“I specifically chose three states, Florida, Hawaii, and California, ” Lopez said.
According to Lopez, she is enjoying the new opportunities that Costa has to offer. Costa is also much bigger than she is used to which is an adjustment in and of itself.
“Many things have slowed down because COVID-19, and my process of coming here was made much more difficult,” Lopez said. “It has been a unique experience, but I am here now and [I] am looking forward to this year at Costa.”
Gabriel Deligne
By Katie Volk, Staff Writer
New student Gabriel Deligne bids Belgium “Adieu” and says “Bonjour” to Southern California as he prepares to take on his first encounter with the American way of life.
Deligne left his family, friends, and dog on Aug. 20, and arrived alone in California. It’s the first time in his life that he has ever been to the United States, and he has just started adjusting to the different lifestyle. According to Deligne, the schools in Belgium and California are the largest difference he has experienced.
“I am excited to be here, [I prefer] the beach, the weather, Hollywood and Santa Monica,” Deligne said.
For having only been in California since late August, Deligne says he has taken a great amount of liking to Manhattan Beach living. According to Delinge, he is ecstatic to be a part of the Southern California community and is content with Manhattan Beach.
“I didn’t feel good about leaving my family and Belgium, but also I didn’t feel bad about coming here,” Deligne said.
As a student who has lived in Belgium his whole life, Deligne wanted to get a taste of American culture and improve his English. Deligne signed up as a foreign exchange student in California through Information Planet, an international education agency. Information Planet has 49 destinations in 13 countries that students can choose from to continue their education. Although Deligne didn’t specify Manhattan Beach as his new home for the next couple of months, his host family had chosen him through Information Planet to live with them. Deligne says he is very fortunate and lucky to be able for this opportunity to experience a whole new world away from Belgium while continuing his education at Costa.
“I chose to live in California because I think it is one of the best states in the United States,” Deligne said. “There is diversity and amazing weather here.”
Unlike the American educational system, Belgium education is divided into two main schools: compulsory education and secondary education. Compulsory education is for children from ages six to 12. Secondary education is for 12 to 18-year-old students. Deligne is naturally accustomed to the Belgian school system, so the American education, such as the concept of middle school and high school, are new to him.
“In Belgium, there are more math and science courses and less sports [programs],” Deligne said.
According to Deligne, the process of adjusting to his new life in America was not difficult at all. Although he was only given five days in between his arrival period and the first day of school, altering his way of life was easier than he initially thought.
“In American high schools, there are more courses to choose from,” Deligne said. “I like how there are [a greater variety of] courses about art.”
Deligne, a fluent French speaker, was able to find two other fluent French speakers, Alexane Turgeon and Brady Stephens, and they became friends. Stephens and Turgeon occasionally help Deligne with English translations. Deligne has not yet had the opportunity to get involved with any extracurricular activities, but Stephens and Deligne plan to try out for the Costa boys golf team together later this school year.
“The people here are very nice, and I feel very welcomed,” Deligne said. “I am very lucky to be here.”
According to Deligne, he misses his family and friends back home, but he looks forward to the remainder of his time here in the Manhattan Beach community. He has already attended football games and is ready to take advantage of the programs and events that Costa has to offer for him this year.
“I want to go to [the] football games and [school] dances; there is nothing specific I look forward to,” Deligne said.
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