How has studying and living in the U.S. changed your perspective? Let’s see if Pol, an AHLI student, has changed his perspective since his arrival in August 2024. Thank you, Pol and his coordinator for helping with a view into his student program journey:
Starting with a Good Attitude
Tours Help: enjoyed tour of high school and his host parents’ candy shop
Host Family: appreciates the opportunity to live in U.S. with a generous Christian family
Little Host Brother: has fun playing Legos and in the snow together
Chores: happy to help and offers to do more
Making Friends: tries being friendly to everyone in his classes
School: likes the school and feels comfortable talking with teachers
Social Activities: enjoys going with friends to watch football, basketball and wrestling
Sports: loves playing lacrosse and doing workouts at YMCA with Host Dad
New Experiences
Big Stores: “It [Costco] was pretty impressive! We do not have anything like these stores in Spain!”
Birthday with Host Family: happy with his Penn State Sweatshirt gift
Church: likes the worship music and that there are people of all ages
Food: likes s’mores, bacon cheeseburgers, hot BBQ wings, Reece’s peanut butter cups, and sugar cookies
Football Games: surprised by the enthusiasm of football fans
Farm Visit: liked petting the farm animals and the challenge of the corn maze
Showers: enjoys taking longer showers
Sports: tried football, dodge ball, roller skating and wrestling
Thanksgiving: enjoyed the turkey and being with a large family
Travel: loved seeingSt. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City
Volunteering: helped his host family with their candy booth at a festival and ushered at his host brother’s play
Challenges and Progress
Being Brave:asking teachers for help and volunteering to read in class
Church: understands more and reads Spanish Bible weekly
English Skills: made efforts to talk slower and learn more phrases
Food: eating healthier with less sweet foods
Math: improved with help from host mom and tutoring at school
Money: learned tosave money for school events
Studying: developed better study habits and time management
Have you had experiences and challenges like Pol? How have they changed your perspective? Pol started his AHLI student program journey with a good perspective and thankfully continues with a good attitude.
“I feel like I am in the High School Musical movie. It is super fun!”
We are proud of Pol and of you for coming this far! Keep up the good work and have fun!
