Every year, Cy Woods runs a foreign exchange mixer for students from around the world to come together and bond. On Oct. 11, the student council and Mrs. Rivard held the annual foreign exchange mixer in the teaching theater.
Geumji Baek, a foreign exchange student who calls South Korea home, attended the mixer and said she had positive expectations before coming to the United States.
“I could not wait to make friends here and I was also excited about American culture,” Baek said. “I think I’ve had more fun here and met good friends in two months here.”
It can be daunting to come to a country without your friends and family back home, so the mixer was held to help exchange students feel more comfortable and connected with their new peers.
“The mixer made me feel very comfortable; It was good because I could meet other exchange friends who I haven’t met yet,” Baek said. “It was nice sharing similar experiences with other people.”
School life in Texas is different from other countries around the world, like South Korea, and Cy Woods differs from Baek’s old school in many small ways.
“The school starts and ends really early,” Baek said. “In America, they use check marks for correct signs on tests and circles if you got the question wrong. It happens to be the exact opposite of what Korea does.”
The school spirit and wildcat culture was an initial shock to Baek, as there are more events that take place at Cy Woods.
“There are many events here such as theme days, high school football games and homecoming. I really like these events,” Baek said.
While schools all over the U.S. are generally positive and supportive towards their students, Cy Woods takes it to the next level with the egalitarian culture of treating everyone with the same opportunities, no matter their age or academic performance.
“I take most of the culture here positively,” Baek said. “It is good to have an atmosphere where I can be closer to people in other grades or a culture that gives you another chance, even if you mess up a test.”
When Baek initially came to Texas, she felt like part of the student body immediately, despite being in a completely different country.
“I settled here pretty fast,” Baek said. “I actually arrived in the U.S. just before the first day of school, so it was hectic, but that made it easier to adapt here.”
The U.S. is seen as a country where everyone can live free and independently. It is a popular hosting for many international students, as it offers a variety of new opportunities and experiences. The reason why Baek decided to become a foreign exchange student was for that purpose.
“I wanted to experience America, and I especially wanted to come to an American high school because it’s something I can’t experience unless it’s now.” Baek said.
