Every year, Carroll High School welcomes students from across the world. Behind every accent, every new face, and every nervous smile is a story– one filled with courage, culture, and the hope of starting again. For these foreign students, coming to a new country isn’t just about learning English. It’s about building a new life piece by piece, learning how to belong, and finding a place that feels like home.
Three international students shared what it’s really like to leave everything familiar behind and begin again in a new country.
When Enzo da Silva, from Brazil, first stepped through the doors of Carroll, the world around him felt unfamiliar.
“The hardest part was learning a new language and making new friends,” he said. But slowly, the feeling of being lost began to fade. “It got better once I met other people from different countries too.”
For Sebastian Andres Vizcayo Orellano, who moved from Venezuela, the transition came with both excitement and challenges.
“Money is super hard to use to buy here. American money has more value, so everything is very expensive,” he said. Back home, schools were very different. “In Venezuela, public schools are poor with less teachers. But here, we don’t go outside and have less lunch time.”
Ayako Ishii, from Japan, remembers how intimidating her first conversations in English were.
“Talking with friends when having a native accent is hard. And so many things are different from what is thought in Japan,” she said. “It felt difficult to not use my original language.
Even the simplest daily routines became small adventures.
“The way people dress– no uniforms, all PJ’s– they don’t care, said Silva.
Ishii misses the flavor of home, “Japanese food has the most nutrients, like fish, seafood, and raw eggs. Americans and others think it’s disgusting, but we love eating raw things.” She still remembers the shock of ordering a “small” drink at Taco Bell. “It was like a large in Japan.”
Orellano’s favorite new memory happened on a cold, snowy day.
“It was just like the movies,” he said, “My sister and I even tried to cook the snow on the grill.”
But beyond the funny stories and culture shocks, what matters most to these students is the feeling of being accepted. For Silva, meeting other international students gave him comfort. For Orellano, friendships helped him feel like he truly belonged.
For Ishii, she said it’s the little day-to-day conversations– “about fashion, teachers, games, or even crushes”– that make her feel part of something bigger.
Many foreign students carry quiet fears too. They worry about their accents, about mispronouncing words or saying the wrong thing. Some hesitate to speak at all, afraid they might offend someone without meaning to. But a little patience, kindness, and encouragement from classmates can make all the difference– turning fear into confidence.
Their advice to other new students is simple, but comes from the heart.
“Don’t be scared. No one will judge you,” Silva said.
Everyone has the same rights. School can be tough on its own, and it becomes even more challenging if you’re not familiar with the language, but it’s important to give it your all. Be patient—it may take months or even years to fully grasp everything. Sebastian emphasized the importance of unity:
“When we are different to you, remember that you are different to us—and that’s a good thing. We’re all just trying to enjoy high school life together.”
Imagine a world where everyone is identical—physically and mentally. It would be exhausting. We need diverse perspectives to inspire new ideas and enrich our experiences. We can start by embracing and including foreign students in our lives. Adjusting to a new environment is never easy, but these students demonstrate immense courage, kindness, and the potential to transform a foreign place into a home.
Their experiences serve as a reminder that when we listen and connect with one another, our school evolves into a community where every culture is respected and every accent is appreciated.
