November 4th, 2011 by Rachel | Country: Other | 2 Comments »
AFS-Hosting, a student exchange organization, asks on Facebook, Did you watch Glee this week? What was your favorite part involving Rory, the new exchange student, and did it seem realistic?
I’m not going to deny that I that love Glee to death. Rory is a great new addition and is indeed magical as his voice couldn’t be anymore stunning! But being green? I’m sorry, but Irish people don’t wear green every day, and Rory wearing a green shirt was a rather stereotypical view of Irish people. However, it was a fun way to show on a TV show that he was being represented as an exchange student from Ireland and was someone who was thought to be a leprechaun.
As someone who has been an exchange student, the experience of arriving in a new country and learning to live in a new culture can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. Locals either get excited about meeting a foreigner and want to become fast friends, or they can be as ignorant as they can be when meeting a foreigner. Fortunately, I had nothing but positive experiences as an exchange student as I would meet too many people wanting to become friends with me, and I would become overwhelmed by having to keep up with them all! On the other hand, I have heard stories from friends who were exchange students who had bad experiences where they were treated horribly by their host families and other people in their communities.
Rory seems to be experiencing both of the worlds. While some students at William McKinely High School were bullying him, he was fortunate not only to have a hot blonde chick adore him, but also to have a man with a good heart, Finn, lend him a hand.
When one foreign student comes to a strange land and is overwhelmed by the unfamiliar environment, which includes the home of the host family, school, and the whole community, and not knowing anyone, the first thing a foreign student needs is a person who is not only a friend, but also a mentor who can help the foreign student learn the ropes of living in a new place. I couldn’t be any more proud of Finn because he was the first one to stand up for Rory and brought him to a place where he could not only meet more new friends, but also show off his talents and enjoy doing something he loves, which is singing. So, I hope that as a result of Finn assisting Rory, new doors will open for him and bring in positive experiences.
2 Comments
Varda
November 4, 2011 at 11:33 pm
I have enjoyed getting to know numerous foreign-exchange students at the school where I teach. My first experience was in 1997 when I noticed a kid standing all by himself – day after day. I finally asked him who he was…and he told me “I’m just one more foreign kid who no one wants to talk to.” That was Borjan from Macedonia. At the time, we had just getting some students from other countries…and it was hard for them to find their place. Borjan, though, was an exchange student – but no one knew that. His family had saved their entire life for him to have this fabulous experience – which was a disaster. We got to know each other very well…and I discovered that he was placed with a family who thought they were getting a free babysitter. He was never allowed to go to any school functions – NEVER! He wasn’t allowed to watch tv and he was made to spend 8 hours at church on Sundays which he didn’t want to do. I took him under my wing – overstepped my bounds BIG TIME – called the agency and found him a NEW HOME! The agency wanted to move him to a farm in Florida but Borjan wanted to stay at NSCHS in Atlanta. I found the most popular cheerleader who wanted him to move into her home! Luckily her parents agreed. So…he went from having NO friends and doing NOTHING extracurricular – to going to every sporting event, tons of parties, getting involved with school…and having a great experience. I am still in touch with him today! I literally felt like I saved a life!
Rachel
November 5, 2011 at 12:23 pm
I’m so glad you shared your story, Varda! I clearly remember you telling me the story because I was in your office on the day Borjan sent you an e-mail to catch up. I still so admire you for turning his experience into a positive one!