Page 4 Monticello Graduation • Thursday , May 30 , 2024 monticellotimes . com
Exchange students look back on their year in Monticello
How did you learn where Monticello was and what was your reaction when you learned you were going to come here for a year as a foreign exchange student ?
Haifa Nurnayati , Indonesia : Excited , because I ’ ve done my research so I know that Minnesota has snow , while in Indonesia we don ’ t have snow because Indonesia is on the equator .
Alex Puigdollers Lopez , Spain : I was happy when I searched Monticello in Google because it seemed and it is a good school full of good people and with weather being not as terrible as I expected .
Garazi Gurruchaga , Spain : My agency sent me the information of my host family and in that info they said I was going to live in Monticello and I was really excited .
Stella Martino , Italy : I wish I was picked by a family in a warm state , to be honest , but when I found out that I would have lived my exchange experience in Monticello I accepted it , and I was pretty curious to see how it looked .
Jan Micka , Czech Republic : I was in class , when I got an email about my location . I was so excited , so I went to the bathroom and looked for some information about Monticello .
When you arrived and met your host families for the first time , what was the experience like ?
Haifa Nurnayati , Indonesia : I felt nervous when I met my host family for the first time . But as soon as I get to know them more , I feel welcomed in their family and it ’ s nice .
Alex Puigdollers Lopez , Spain : The experience was good as both of my host families treated me really good .
Garazi Gurruchaga , Spain : I was really tired because of the trip but they gave me a really good impression and I liked them a lot .
Stella Martino , Italy : My host family was amazing from the beginning , my host parents tried to make me feel comfortable and they wanted me to see as much as possible . They have been very understanding about my English even though it was not very good .
Jan Micka , Czech Republic : Well , I
Monticello ’ s 2023-24 foreign exchange students are pictured at the Monticello High School recently . From left to right are Haifa Nurnayati of Indonesia , Garazi Gurruchaga of Spain , Stella Martino of Italy , Jan Micka of Czech Republic and Alex Puigdollers Lopez of Spain .
was really excited and happy that I ’ m finally here so it was a good experience . Also I was really tired from the flight .
What was your favorite food and why ? Was there something you don ’ t like ?
Haifa Nurnayati , Indonesia : Culver ’ s ice cream , because it ’ s so good . I only eat Mcflurries in Indonesia , and Culver ’ s ice cream is a life-changer . I don ’ t really like spicy food here because it ’ s really sour .
Alex Puigdollers Lopez , Spain : I think it was Raising Cane ’ s , as I love chicken and their sauce is my favorite sauce
Garazi Gurruchaga , Spain : I love Chinese food and I think here there are some places that are great . I haven ’ t found anything that I don ’ t eat yet .
Stella Martino , Italy : I love tater tot hotdish ; I ’ ve loved this dish since the first time I tried it . However , I cannot say the same about pasta and pizza . I ’ m from Italy and I ’ ve never seen “ pepperoni pizza ” or “ chicken Alfredo ” before I came here , and I didn ’ t like them at all .
Jan Micka , Czech Republic : I like burgers , so Five Guys or Dairy Queen was pretty good .
Regarding names , has there been one name you ’ ve preferred ? Did it take awhile getting comfortable with what you were being called ?
Haifa Nurnayati , Indonesia : Just Haifa . I know my name is not common even in Indonesia . It takes a while for people to spell it correctly and I ’ ve been called with a different name each time . So I ’ m already used to it . But I would appreciate it more if people ask my name first before announcing my name in front of the public .
Alex Puigdollers Lopez , Spain : I liked it when people called me by my last name as the pronunciation is though and it was funny listening to people try to say it in a Spanish accent .
Garazi Gurruchaga , Spain : I dont know , I think people really try to pronounce my name correctly and most people get it right after some time .
Stella Martino , Italy : I ’ ve never had any problems with how people have called me .
Jan Micka , Czech Republic : Everybody called me Honza , so yes I was comfortable .
What were your academic activities ? What were your favorite classes and why ?
Haifa Nurnayati , Indonesia : My favorite classes in MHS are AP Biology , CIS Chemistry , Human Biology and Culinary . I always enjoyed learning about biology and chemistry because I wanted to be a doctor . I think the teachers were also the reason . For culinary , I don ’ t have that kind of class back in Indonesia so it ’ s a new experience for me .
Exchange students / See page 5