Each year, the Orono School District welcomes foreign exchange students from around the world. This year, Orono has welcomed Lisa Engström from Sweden, Thea Wostryck from Norway, and Nadine Schwanke from Germany.

Wostryck came to Minnesota leaving all that she knew in Norway. She is 17 years old and is a part of the senior class this year. Wostryck is staying with Lori and Craig Herkert.

They have made her time fun by taking her to places like the movies. She also has been able to travel to new places with the Herkert family such as Chicago.

Wostryck enjoys being a foreign exchange student because she gets to learn and experience new things. Wostryck has had the opportunity to learn many things during her time in Minnesota.

“While in Minnesota, I have learned to throw myself into new situations and to not be afraid. I have also learned to be patient because everything takes time,” Wostryck said.

Language can often times act as a barrier for foreign exchange students.

Wostryck said that the hardest part about leaving Minnesota will be leaving behind their new families, friends, and life here. She is enjoying her time here, but looks forward to the day that she can be reunited with her family and friends back home.

“There is something everyone can learn from the foreign exchange students,” Paloma Jimenez Garcia Pelayo, a former foreign exchange student at Orono from Spain, said.

“Be thankful for what you have. You don’t truly appreciate things and you don’t realize how lucky you are for having what you have until you don’t have it anymore,” Jimenez Garcia Pelayo said.

Lisa Engström and Nadine Schwanke will be featured in the Dec. edition of The Spartan Speaks.