Have you ever wondered how the several foreign students at Harriton feel about their lives here compared to a their home country? This week, the Harriton Banner had a chance to talk to a few foreigners to get some insight.

Zoë Stach is back at Harriton after spending a year in France, and moved to the United States after growing up in Weimar, Germany. Alex Gervais-Scott was born in Brussels, Belgium, and moved to the states 7 years ago. Finally, Tim Reekmans was born and raised in Belgium before moving to the United States this summer.

All three students agreed that moving to the United States was a huge adjustment from their lives before.

The three students were quick to describe how much more they preferred European food to American, and life in Europe in general. Alex explained how everything was much less strict in Europe, and how it was so much easier to get away with just about anything.

The three subjects also exhibited the extreme difference between American schooling and European schooling. They explained how in European schools, education and extra curricular activities are two separate things. Apparently, school sports teams in France or Spain are much less frequent than a club or private team.

Alex and Tim explained how they preferred the American system for this because it makes school more entertaining and makes it easier to make friends who enjoy the same activities as you.

In addition, these students really stressed the difference in the actual schooling between here and in Europe. Zoe emphasized how the German system decides which kids will go to college when they’re just in 5^th grade. This is because all students take a standardized test in 5^th grade that separates them into two groups: a higher level and a lower level.

While students at Harriton get to decide if they want to be in AP, IB, honors, or college prep classes, test scores often decide the classes for European students without their say in the matter. Tim and Alex also emphasized how a person needs to be smarter in Europe to succeed than in an American school.

For example, if a student at Harriton wasn’t the brightest but tried their hardest, they could still manage a 5.0 GPA. In Europe, if a person does not learn at a quick enough pace, it is likely for them to be moved into a trade school-like system where they would graduate at a younger age instead of going to college.

As for adjustment, all three students expressed exasperation at the difference in schooling between here and there.

Alex, Zoe, and Tim all felt many parts of their education had become obsolete at Harriton, and as if there were gaps in their knowledge. On the bright side, Alex also explained how 7 years in the state has made him more at home everyday. Tim, who is still adjusting to life here, says he is just taking things one step at a time.