×

AHS exchange students adjusting to the ‘little things’

News Photo by Julie Goldberg Foreign exchange students at Alpena High School have learned a lot of new things since moving to Alpena in August. The students are participating in different school clubs, eating at a variety food places, and taking part in lots of Alpena activities.

ALPENA — The Alpena High School exchange students have been living in Alpena for a few months and have adjusted to school and life in Alpena. The students are from Germany, Kyrgyzstan, Taiwan, Thailand, Georgia, Spain, Turkey, Africa, Italy and Vietnam.

The students are enjoying school and meeting new people. They love living in Alpena and think the people in Alpena are nice and friendly.

Kader Diop from Africa had never seen snow until it snowed for a the first time a couple weeks ago. He was excited about seeing the snow.

“It was amazing to see,” Diop said. “It was really nice when I saw it for the first time because everything was white and the snow was glowing.”

Diop also was on the soccer team and said the experience was fun and rewarding.

“I met some really nice people on the team,” he said. “I became aware of new things, I learned a lot, and it was a great experience for me.”

Ludovica Brambilla from Italy is a member of theater and said it really helped improve her English.

“It’s really cool,” she said. “I’ve met a lot of really good friends and the rehearsals have been fun.”

The students like eating at different places around Alpena, including Downtown Scoops, Connie’s Cafe, Mango’s, North Country Candy & Gifts, Taco Bell, Wendy’s, and the different pizza places.

The students have participated in clubs at the schools. ICE Club, Ski Club, Key Club, robotics, and Science Olympiad are some of the clubs the students take part in.

“I love my host family and the Alpena community,” Kurmanbek Dzhenaliev from Kyrgyzstan said.

Dzhenaliev plays the piano and has started to give piano lessons in Alpena.

“It’s a new experience for me and I love it,” he said.

Efe Tuzun from Turkey said spending Thanksgiving in Alpena was great. Some of the students went Black Friday shopping in the middle of the night.

Some activities the students take part in outside of school are ice skating, watching movies, bowling, and laser tag.

Julie Goldberg can be reached via email at jgoldberg@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5688.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today