Three students from three different countries with three different languages. The foreign exchange students attending Albert Lea High School this year are Pornchanit Sittanawawit, Juan Villegas, and Elise Hein Bera.

Pornchanit (Pinky) Sittanawawit is a sophomore from Thailand. She’s staying with Janet and Richard Eastvold. She was happy to join orchestra when she arrived because she’s been playing the violin for four years.

Even though Sittanawawit started learning English when she was five she still has some struggles with it. She sometimes has to use the translator on her phone to understand people. Sittanawawit was scared when she came to America because she thought it’d be hard since she’s still learning English but she’s enjoying it here.

Sittanawawit said she- and most of the people in Thailand- love their king, 85-year-old Bhumibol Adulydej.

“We all adore him,” Sittanawawit said.

Just like the school Sittanawawit attends in Thailand, Juan Villegas’s school in Colombia has the teachers come to students instead of the students switching classes. No passing period.

Growing up in Colombia, Villegas’s first known language is Spanish. He started learning English in kindergarten. His host family is the Sennes and he is a senior this year.

Villegas isn’t interested in trying any American sports or activities but he played soccer in Colombia for five years.

Villegas was surprised to see a mix of faces when he came to America. He figured it would be all whites.

Though Villegas would rather live in Colombia he would like to return to visit America when he’s older. He’d love to see places like New York and Washington, D.C.

Villegas said the building and towns here are much more spread out than in Colombia.

“Colombia is a good country,” Villegas said. “The people are warm and friendly.”

Elise Hein Bera is from Norway. In America she is a junior but in Norway she would be a senior. She grew up speaking Norwegian and started learning English in third grade. She wants to improve her English so she can attend college in New York.

Bera is staying with Emma Behling and her family. Bera and Behling are good friends.

“We share a room and get along really well,” Behling said.

Bera absolutely loved the pep rally during homecoming week.

“I love the tiger mascot,” Bera exclaimed. “My favorite part [of the pep rally] was when everyone got to run down to the gym floor.”

She wants to live in Norway when she’s older but right now she’d rather live here.

“I heard Americans were open people and they really are,” Bera said. “People would come up and talk to me, which is really nice since I’m new.”

All of the foreign exchange students came to America to improve their English speaking and writing skills. They were all excited about homecoming since none of them have it where they’re from. They’re all looking forward to a new, exciting school year.