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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