Tomas

Interview with Tomas, a high school foreign exchange student

Tell us a little about your first day. Were you nervous? Was your host family?
Of course I was nervous fist day, But I think everobody is because, it is really different to be in foreign country just on your own.
I have to say that everybody has helped me a lot. Especially my family in the begining they were very helpful.

How did you get along with your host family through out the year? Did you have brothers or sisters?
It was defenetly advantage that I had a brother in my age. He became through out the year like my own brother.

Was the city you lived in interesting?
No, it was the smallest city I have ever seen, but I think I was better, because I didn´t get to any problem and people out there were friendly

Did you like school? What kinds of subjects did you study? Was it hard?
I can say that I liked the school (especially its activities such as sport or some trips) I studied Maths, Physics, Biology, French, English and I can say it was really easy(except English)

Were the students at your school interested in you because you were a foreigner?
It depends on who, somebody was and somebody didn´t care about me. But a lot of kids were interested in my country, me and so on.

Did you easily make friends?
I am kind of person who mix with other people very well, so I made a lot of friends. But It depence on everybody one, who doesn´t talk to anybody doesn´t have any friends. It is obvious.

Did you get to meet a lot of other foreign exchange students and spend time with them?
That was one of the best thing on this program. First day in America came like 5 foreigners and wanted to be fiends of main. It was really nice. And it helped me a lot. All the time they knew what to do because they were there for the 1st semester.


What did you do during your free time?
I came to America to play baseball, because back home I play softball so I wanted to play it and it happened. all the time I played baseball or basketball.

What was it like to spend the holidays away from home?
It was really anusual :D But it was awesome

Were there any strange cultural moments you experienced?
Most of all the religion, I had to go every Sunday to church, but it was ok. I don’t believe but I didn´t mind this.

Do you like the United States better than home? What parts were better or worse?
It is hard question. But there are many better things in America than in Czech. I loved whole stay in America but I was looking forward to seeing my family and friends in Czech.

What was your favorite part of being a foreign exchange student?
It was the biggest experience of my life. It was awesome. I recommend it to everybody.
As I am keen sportsman the best part was so many sport opportunities for me.