As students return to the familiar halls of SHS, other students step inside for the first time, which creates an unforgettable experience for newcomers. For them, this is more than just high school. It’s an opportunity to live their dream of being in America for the first time.
“When I finally got the news that I was officially going to the United States, I was extremely happy and excited, and I started packing my stuff from a long time ago,” Mutaz Fandi, a junior foreign exchange student said.
Every year, SHS warmly welcomes foreign exchange students, and this year is no different, with SHS overseeing students from Jordan, Indonesia and Spain.
These students showcase the diversity that SHS has to offer and the opportunities available to seek out for all no matter where they come from.
In Jordan, Fandi’s typical school day differed a lot from SHS. Students did not switch classrooms. In comparison, Jordan’s school days are drastically shorter, usually ending in the afternoon. 
While adjusting to SHS wasn’t that much of a challenge for Fandi, something that was challenging was the American metric system.
“In the United States, you measure with miles, inches and that’s totally different, so I’m still trying to get used to that,” Fandi said.
Besides spending his time at SHS, Fandi hopes to explore America’s national parks. He also has plans to visit Chicago in the future.
With such a short amount of time, specifically 10 months in America for his junior year, Fandi plans to finish it strong and return when the opportunity is given to him once more.
“There’s still a lot more places I need to discover, I need to explore… I think I’m gonna miss it,” Fandi said.
Fandi isn’t the only one chasing dreams, though. Coming from over 9,900 miles away in Indonesia is junior foreign exchange student Elang Perdanas.
Perdanas came to SHS to seize opportunities that he previously didn’t have access to, seeking out a better future for his education.
“I heard America was very high in education and that they’re high tier of that,” Perdanas said. “That’s what also motivated me to come here.”
Seeking to start a career in aerospace engineering, Perdanas explained that SHS offers the resources he once lacked for his success.
Perdanas says that only general classes were offered in Indonesia, students could not choose any of their classes, and electives were also limited.
“I took aerospace engineering here, which we don’t have back in my country, we also don’t have a piano class in my country,” Perdanas said. “We cannot choose any subjects, we just have basic 
math, science and we also don’t have any art classes.”
Outside of his classes, what has stood out the most to Perdanas is the comfort level at Southport. Students are not required to wear a uniform unlike his school in Indonesia, which makes SHS more relaxing.
In the future, Perdanas plans to study aerospace engineering later in college and hopes to get his Masters or Bachelor’s degree.
“I hope I can achieve what I want in the subject that I mentioned that’s not in my country,” Perdanas said. “I hope I could really make a good experience here with the students and teachers.”
Unlike Fandi and Perdanas though, sophomore Victor Antolinez already had his expectations formed about SHS.
Coming all the way from Spain, Antolinez was more used to school being strictly academic, based solely on a focus on learning, not having much school spirit or connection.
“The biggest difference is that school here actually involves sport and you actually do stuff and Spain is only educational… in Spain you only go to school to study and then you go home,” Antolinez said.
Originally, it was his idea to travel to the U.S. and with the support of his family, that idea was made possible. For now, Antolinez is staying with SHS Orchestra teacher Thomas Wright.
“The biggest happiness shock was when Mr. Wright, my host family, said they were gonna host me. That was a big moment for me,” Antolinez said.
Overall, Antolinez’s transition to SHS was easier than most since he already had a lot of American friends in Spain. He understood why some students had a difficult time adjusting to SHS, but for him it has been nothing short of fun.
Antolinez did notice a few cultural differences between Spain and America. For example, transportation was one. In Spain, trains and buses are more frequently used while cars are the norm in America.
But, with the support of his host family and biological family in Spain, Antolinez hopes to experience his chance at an “American high school.”
“I assumed it was a regular American high school and it pretty much is… long hallways, classic classrooms, classes with tablets like American high school games, Friday nights and stuff.” Antolinez said.
Together, all three of these students showcase the diversity and unique experiences that foreign exchange students bring to SHS.
Whether it be adjusting to a dress code, a system or just being more involved, their journey highlights the courage it takes to start again and pursue careers in a place that could one day feel like a second home.
“When I was first accepted (to the U.S), I was like ‘Oh my god, I’m going to my dream school, in my dream country,’” Perdanas said.
