If you haven’t noticed, many new exchange students have arrived and started their Salida High School experience. Antoine Gil from Paris, France, and Hugo Plaetzer from Höchstadt an der Aischare, Germany are just two of the many that have started their exchange year here at Salida High School

Gil is from Paris, France, and he loves Paris because there are many things to do, like visit monuments and museums and explore with friends. In France, he lives with his sister and switches between his mother and father. Here in Salida, he is staying with his host mother, Molly, and host brother, David. His favorite spot here is a small garden called Bridal Park, where he and his friends like to eat, play games and tell stories. It’s beautiful in summer, with a small pond and lush flowers. He also loves music and spent three days at a music festival with his friends last summer. He loves food, his favorites are pasta and potatoes because there are so many different ways to cook them.

 He’s also passionate about architecture, and he hopes to go to school for it, but his choice of where is unknown as he loves to travel. His usual day at school in France varies from ours; in France he has different schedules each day with many more classes, longer days and five day school weeks. Plus, Gil participates in an additional two hours of track and field afterward. His school is stricter and more intensive on language education, and they learn many lessons in vocabulary and literature. Gil speaks French, English and is learning Spanish. Another difference is that his school in Paris isn’t associated with sports or extracurricular activities. He likes all the support that sports and the arts get here and the friendly relationship between teachers and students at SHS that he doesn’t experience in France. He’s excited to experience the encouraging atmosphere of SHS and the fun traditions of our little town. He said the only con that he could see was that we don’t have enough time for lunch. Since moving to Salida, Gil has fallen in love with American football and says he’ll miss it when he goes back. 

“I think that the people here are all incredible and have been always welcoming to me. Students are very nice and were able to welcome me to their classes and in the football team. It is complicated to be sure of what people think of you, but I am sure they are filled with good intentions,” Gil said.

Plaetzer is from Germany, and the town he lives in is called Höchstadt an der Aischare. There, he lives with his parents, younger sister and brother. He loves this town, and his favorite spot would have to be this very old building that has a great view of the old town of the city he lives in. There’s frequently held concerts there, and it’s right next to the skatepark and supermarket. He loves cities in Germany, like Berlin and Munich,  because of their old interesting history. He loves to bike, play video games and play soccer with his friends. He likes sushi, watching movies and music. He doesn’t have a plan for after high school, but he would like to return to the U.S. if possible. His school at home goes five days a week, and ends at one pm each day. There’s only two fifteen-minute lunch breaks, and he takes many classes that are pre-decided. He speaks German, and he is learning English and Italian. His school is also not affiliated with sports, and to do them you must join a club. 

Here in Salida, he’s staying with Superintendent David Blackburn and his family. What he likes about Salida High School is the support and encouragement from students at sports events. Plaetzer is currently playing soccer here at SHS, and has been liking the school-spirited atmosphere of our community. 

We’re so happy to welcome Plaetzer, Gil and many other students to SHS and are looking forward to what they accomplish here and teach us about their culture. The exchange student program is wonderful, not only for the opportunity to see and learn about a foreign country but also for the opportunity to meet new people.