New and returning international exchange students from over twenty countries come every year to experience and learn the culture of the United States. A commonly asked question is how people from around the world discover this school, and their thoughts on being an exchange student. Coming from a different part of the world is an experience that everyone should be able to read about, and it’s a great opportunity to learn why they chose Darlington.
“I had a scholarship program, so I had to apply and then go to interviews with different essays until I got selected to come here,” sophomore Celia Diaz-Leante Ortiz said. “I heard about Darlington through a family friend who came here last year, Carolina Menendez. After reading the school’s description and its values, I thought it really matched my personality. My favorite thing is learning about the American culture and how everything works here.
For some students, you must apply to be selected as an exchange student. Usually, they match you based on your personality, likes, or interests, such as the rigor of the school or sports that you are interested in.
“First, I applied to Darlington School and got accepted. Then, I sent in some golf videos to join the Golf Academy. The coaches review them, then they tell me if I’m in or not. I also have a friend who went to Darlington two years ago, and he had told me about Darlington,” sophomore Pablo De La Campa Cortina said.
Cortina said he heard about Darlington from his friends who attended years ago. Connections are one of the main reasons people hear about this school.
“There were definitely other options, but I wanted to go to Darlington,” said junior Oskar Blessing from Germany. “When I looked at Darlington I liked it. I like the school, the facilities are nice and I heard some good stuff about the school from my friends who came here before. So I’d say my favorite thing is to get to meet new people and get to experience different cultures.”
The United States isn’t the only option for an exchange year for international students. Depending on the country, some students need to apply for selection, like Ortiz, or apply for sponsorship.
“Part of my tuition is covered by a scholar’s scholarship program, and I get additional sponsorship because it comes from a family foundation,” sophomore Girmante Zolubaite said. “I wanted to see more of the world and to see how people live outside of Lithuania and outside of Europe, and I can grow as a person more.”