Page 4 Monticello Graduation • Thursday, May 29, 2025 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?
Bastian Milther, Denmark: The moment I found out I was going to Monticello, I looked it up. Because I had no clue where Monticello was located and how it was. But I was happy when I got to know where Monticello was and how it is.
Andrea Vittori, Italy: So, to be honest, I had no idea of where Minnesota was. The first thing I thought about when I saw it on a map was like,“ It’ s gonna be so cold there,” and unfortunately I was right.
Elena Menendez Ullate, Spain: I found out about Monticello through my exchange program. I had never heard of it before, so I looked it up on Google maps. At first, I was nervous because it was such a small town compared to where I’ m from, but I also got excited thinking about all the new experiences I would have and the people I would meet.
Lucia Osuna, Spain: I didn’ t know about Monticello until I got placed here. I did some research and I liked it because it is really different from where I live in Spain.
Ruben Lago-Hernandez, Spain: I learned where Monticello was because my sister came two years ago as an exchange student and I was excited to come here.
When you arrived and met your host families for the first time, what was the experience like?
Bastian Milther, Denmark: The whole thing was really overwhelming. It was like starting a whole new life.
Andrea Vittori, Italy: It was really emotional. I was happy and scared at the same time.
Elena Menendez Ullate, Spain: They were so welcoming and made me feel comfortable right away. I was nervous at first, but their kindness helped me feel at home quickly.
Lucia Osuna, Spain: It was good, I was really excited to meet them and since the first time we met they all seem nice and treat me like one more of the family.
Ruben Lago-Hernandez, Spain: You
Monticello’ s 2024-25 foreign exchange students are, from left to right, Bastian Milthner of Denmark, Andrea Vittori of Italy, Elena Menendez Ullate of Spain and Ruben Lago Hernandez of Spain. Not pictured is Lucia Osuna Dominguez of Spain.
feel weird from being away from home and without your family and friends.
What was your favorite food? Was there something you didn’ t like?
Bastian Milther, Denmark: I really liked Raising Canes when I got over here, but now I have had too much, so it’ s starting to get a little disgusting.
Andrea Vittori, Italy: My favorite food here was Crumble Cookies. I didn’ t really like the school food.
Elena Menendez Ullate, Spain: One of my favorites was tater hot dish. It felt like the perfect comfort food during the cold months. One thing I didn’ t really like was root beer, the flavor was very different from what I’ m used to, and I couldn’ t really enjoy it.
Lucia Osuna, Spain: I really like Raising Cane’ s. I mostly enjoy all the typical American food but what I don’ t like is that everything is way unhealthy and bad for you.
Ruben Lago-Hernandez, Spain: The burgers because they taste different, and there’ s nothing I didn’ t like.
Regarding names, has there been one name that you’ ve preferred? Did it take awhile to become comfortable with what you were being called?
Bastian Milther, Denmark: I have always been called Bastian, my first name, so I was comfortable being called Bastian by the beginning.
Andrea Vittori, Italy: A lot of people just call me“ the Italian.” At first it was a bit weird, but now I’ m used to it and I lowkey like it.
Elena Menendez Ullate, Spain: Most people just called me Elena, which I liked. I appreciated that everyone made an effort to pronounce it correctly. I got used to hearing my name with a slightly different accent, but that was kind of fun too.
Lucia Osuna, Spain: Everyone calls me by my name, Lucia.
Ruben Lago-Hernandez, Spain: I don’ t have a name I prefer, and at first, I thought the way people pronounced my name was strange.
Talk about your involvement with sports, clubs, the arts, or other activities at Monticello High School.
Bastian Milther, Denmark: I’ ve been playing high school varsity soccer, but that’ s it. Andrea Vittori, Italy: I didn’ t participate in a lot of extracurricular activities.
Elena Menendez Ullate, Spain: I was involved in tennis, dance and currently golf. Being part of these activities helped me make friends and feel like part of the school community. It was one of the best parts of my experience.
Lucia Osuna, Spain: I was on the dance team during winter season. It was really fun, I made a lot of friends and it was an amazing experience that I had never lived before. I miss it.
Ruben Lago-Hernandez, Spain: I did soccer and track and field, which I enjoyed