Most sophomores, juniors, and seniors are thinking about big decisions at this time of year. The sophomores are electing class sponsors. The juniors are preparing to plan their senior trip and Banquet. The seniors have to decide where to go and what to study next year. With all of this indecision going on, we tend to forget that the freshmen have a big choice to make, too. They must decide whether or not to spend a semester of their sophomore year in Asunción, Paraguay.
The school has recently sent out a letter to the ninth graders and their parents giving critical information on the application process and perfunctory details, but I’d advise anyone who is considering going on the trip to read this article and talk to someone who’s been on the exchange before.
Ike Lehman (‘13) was the first to make the decision to go to Paraguay. A year later, Lorae Weaver (‘14) and I both took that plunge. Most recently, Jesse Amstutz (‘15) went on the exchange. We’ve all had different experiences, but we can all agree that the exchange will enrich the life of whichever student is willing to go.
Of course, the trip won’t be easy. For an entire semester, you won’t see your friends and family outside of the Internet. But the rewards are great; as Weaver says, “There were some hard times, but that’s the growing-up part of the experience.”
Money is probably the biggest issue for most students, as plane tickets are expensive. You’ll also need to think about buying uniforms, school supplies, and other essentials. You might have to buy things that you usually share with other members of your family. However, as they say: if there’s a will, there’s a way. Like Jesse, you could get a job to cover some of the expense. Now might also be a good time to remind your beloved relatives (as I did) about how much they love and support you. Raising the money to go might take a little effort, but it will be worth it.
An important thing to consider when making your choice is how the trip will impact your extracurriculars. Anything that takes place primarily during the fall semester will be out, as will activities where the first semester is critical. For other activities, you should talk to your coach or supervisor. You just need to work something out. If you’re worried about a semester of lost practice time, there are ways to keep up your training. Colegio Alemán Concordia offers some sports, like soccer and volleyball. Even if you can’t find your sport, there will be plenty of opportunities to be active. Private teachers offer art and music classes. You should be able to continue to participate in activities you love.
If you want to know why you should go, any of the students who have been on the exchange before will be happy to talk to you. In the end, though, the only person who knows why you want to go is you. Only you can know whether the pros of the trip will outweigh the cons.
Do you want to make this journey? The choice is up to you.