FHS View: Flint Hill takes in students from abroad

Alexandra Magdits and Nicholas Magdits • September 30, 2015 

Spanish exchange students Dana Timar, Ferran Prats, Maria Masip, Sara Camí, Adrià Barrufet, Mariona Guillamet, Anna Berent, Biel Cardona, Júlia Arbós, and Xènia Llobera (left to right) attend a party held by the Hernández family.

We’ve heard English and French spoken before in the Flint Hill hallways — now we can add Castilian and Catalan to the list, two of Spain’s four official languages. On Thursday, September 10, Flint Hill welcomed 15 students from the Institut Josep Vallverdú, a high school in Lleida, one of the oldest cities in the Autonomous Community of Catalonia, Spain.

Several Huskies were eager to receive the Spaniards into the Flint Hill community, jumping at the opportunity to meet new people and immerse themselves in the Spanish culture and language, which many had studied in school for some years. Coming from a hispanophone family, senior Jake Elmendorf wanted to make his guest exchange student feel right at home.

“We became hosts originally for me to hear what it would be like in Spain as well as to practice my Spanish", said Elmendorf. "If there is any problem, my whole family is fluent in both [English & Castilian] to help [my student] learn English as well."

Little did the FHS hosts know that they had gotten a two-for-one deal. Coming from one of Spain’s many bilingual communities, these Spanish students are fluent in both Castilian (commonly referred to as Spanish) and Catalan. For many in the United States, learning a second language proves difficult, but for these natives of Catalonia, it’s second nature.

Exchange student Maria Masip and her host, junior
Olivia Hernández pose for a photo on the Flint Hill lawn.

“My family is Castilian, but also speaks Catalan,” said Maria Masip in Castilian, an exchange student hosted by junior Olivia Hernández. “So I speak in Catalan with my friends and in both Castilian and Catalan at home.”

Unintimidated by the language barrier, junior Kayla Hewitt feels the cultural differences were what really united them.

“The Spanish exchange students made it clear just how similar we all are,” Hewitt said. “Despite the fact they live in a culture and place extremely different from mine, we were still able to chat in the same way I would with another Flint Hill student.”

Elmendorf and his guest, Ferran Prats Domènech, quickly became friends, sharing common interests in music, pastimes, and even fashion.

They recently posted an original song on YouTube, which Prats described in Catalan as one of those experiences that “make you grow, [and] discover who you are.”

Elmendorf agreed, saying that the experience transformed him.

“I can confidently say that they changed me; not only Ferran, but all of them. I became so close with [the exchange students] over the course of the two weeks, and I wouldn’t change that for the world. [In addition], I know I made some new lifetime friends.”

Another host was senior Michelle Cole, who welcomed Núria Güell Araque into her home.

“There was someone looking for a place to stay,” Cole said, “and we wanted to provide that place while getting to know the life of someone living a similar, yet totally different life in a different language and culture than Northern Virginia.”

Who are they?

Adrià Barrufet Segarra

Alícia Sedó Mor

Anna Berent Palau

Anna Puig Miret

Biel Cardona Gilabert

Dana Maria Timar

Ferran Prats Domènech

Guillem Prats Domènech

Júlia Arbós Aguilar

Maria Masip Romero

Mariona Guillamet Pedrol

Núria Güell Araque

Sara Camí Ferrer

Sònia Sans Badia

Xènia Llobera Gorgues

She, like many other students, recognized the potential learning experience this exchange could bring her and was more than happy to offer a place in her home.

“It was such a great experience to meet with someone from another part of the world,” Cole said. “It reminded me that I am just a small piece of a greater picture, [and] that there is beauty in every little piece of the puzzle and every pixel of the composition.”

Many of the hosts took it upon themselves to show the Spaniards the monuments and museums that Washington, D.C. has to offer, but Cole showed Güell some of the local attractions and restaurants as well.

“Núria really enjoyed her time [here], as we took her to lots of different local malls like the Leesburg Outlets and Tyson’s Corner [Center], our favorite grocery store, Wegmans, and some restaurants like Kobe and Panera Bread,” Cole said.

During spring break, Flint Hill may have the chance to send some of its own students to Spain in exchange.

“I know it will be such a wonderful experience for all who do choose to go on this trip, and I would highly recommend it,” Cole said. “It [will be] an amazing experience to see how different things like the education system, the restaurants, and even some of the shopping stores [are compared to] those in [the United States].”

The students of Josep Vallverdú walked out the doors of the Upper School last Friday wearing Flint Hill T-shirts to further display their membership to the Flint Hill family. They left, but their impression on our community stays. They will go back home with many stories to tell to their families and friends.

The Spaniards weren’t the only ones who benefitted from the exchange program; the various hosts also felt enriched by this unique experience. Junior Olivia Hernández appreciates the scholastic benefits, as well as the new friendships.

“I feel a lot more comfortable with the Spanish language because of this,” said Hernández. “I found that when you are put in a situation where language is a barrier, you are forced to take ownership of the language, and this new perspective has helped me so much.”

According to Hernández, it’s the “simple, silly little [memories]” that stay with us in the end.

On behalf of the Spanish students, Masip offered her gratitude:

“Gracias de todo corazón por habernos dado esta oportunidad y habernos acogido tan bien.”

(We wholeheartedly thank you for giving us this opportunity and for having taken us in and cared for us so well.)-

See more at:

http://www.fhsview.com/features/2015/09/30/flint-hill-takes-in-students-from-abroad-2/

Link to the song of this school exchange "Get along": By Jake Elmendorf and Ferran Prats

☺️ Get Along -Jake Elmendorf y Ferran Prats

Lyrics -
Verse 1
Time is waistin', we just sitting here, we're playin'. Our time is right now, to be there, to show you, to ask you, to know you, better than I had before.
We haven't, known each other for too long, it just happens, it just happens your the one, I want to, impress for, you're someone, I'd give for, so what do you think about?

Pre-Chorus
Talking more with me, it's killing me knowing that we are so close and that you, can't see what you mean to me, just tell me what I need to be, then I'll see,

Chorus
But give me one, Kiss kiss, what do you think about, it's just u, just you and me right now. We haven't talked in so long, I think it's time we get along
Tomorrow’s coming coming faster then we ever knew, I think it’s time, I think it’s time, we get this through.

Verse 2:
Todavía estoy pensando que ves tú en mi. Que mis ojos, mi mirada, fijándose en ti. nuevos sentimientos, que me haces sentir cuando diga, quiero algo, es el tiempo, bésame.
Cuando regresemos no te olvides de mi. Llévate el recuerdo, de todo lo vivido aquí. Y ahora estoy aquí, esperando un si, tu respuesta, significa mucho para mi, what do you think about?

Pre-Chorus:
Talking more with me, it's killing me knowing that we are so close and that you, can't see what you mean to me, just tell me what I need to be then, I’ll, see,

Chorus:
But give me one, Kiss kiss, what do you think about, it's just u, just you and me right now. We haven't talked in so long, I think it's time we get along
Tomorrow’s coming coming faster then we ever knew, I think it’s time, I think it’s time, we get this through.

Bridge:
Its just I tried so hard to get you, don’t want to make you feel so pressured, so take your time, im right here.

Chorus:
But give me one, Kiss kiss, what do you think about, it's just u, just you and me right now. We haven't talked in so long, I think it's time we get along
Tomorrow’s coming coming faster then we ever knew, I think it’s time, I think it’s time, we get this through.

"Get Along  - Jake Elmendorf (ft. Ferran Prats)
Original" a YouTube -

20th Day - Saturday 26th September by Dana Timar

Hi viewers!

Today is the day... Yes, a "bad" day for us, since we have had a good time here. 

When the day began I remember that I woke up very early, at 5:00! Firstly I took a shower and then I checked if I packed all my thing to go to Spain. 

After that, I went to Flint Hill and there the teachers gave us some breakfast and we said goodbye to our American friends, it was a very intense and sad moment for all of us, students and teachers.

When we had been ready to go, a bus waited for us to go to the airport. 

I have to say that the flight was shorter and passed earlier than the first one, as we went to Charlotte and then to Barcelona. When we arrived in Barcelona we went to Borges and there our families were waiting for us with a lot of joys and emotions!

To be honest the first thing which I did when I saw my parents was to give them a big hug and then we talked all the day about what I have been done these weeks. 

At nigh, I went to an International Show Jumping with them, and it was nice to see some of my friends there! I missed them.

In conclusion, this experiencie was the best of my life, and I hope to repeat it some day!

20th Day - Saturday 26th September by Guillem Prats

Hey!

Today, as everybody of this trip, I don't remember when I have woken up because we were flying. The return travel has been very good because everything has gone properly and the flight and the bus have been quite fast.

We at the plane.

We at the bus.

When we have arrived at Les Borges Blanques, every family was already waiting for every one of us, and we have gone to greet them. Everyone of us was very excited and we couldn't stop telling things of the trip.

During this afternoon, even though I was very tired, I have met with some friends and after that, I have gone home to eat something and then to sleep.

Finally, I would like to express thanks for this superb trip and experience to my teachers, my parents, the Dolin family and everyone of Flint Hill who has taken part in this. Certainly, this has been one of the best experiences of my life. I will never forget it!

20th Day - Saturday 26th September by Ferran Prats

Hello dear viewers, this is my last appearance in this blog. As you know, today we have returned from the trip, but even so, we are going to continue to come in contact with our American friends and we will be expecting them to come to visit us here in Spain. Simply,I want to say that the flight has been perfect!

I would also add that this trip has meant a great experience for us and we are very happy. I appreciate the effort and desire that have put on this trip our teachers, Josep Vallverdú High School, Flint Hill School, the American families for having maintained and, to finish, I want to thank our Spanish families who have paid the trip and have shown us a great confidence.

Thanks for everything, I am going to miss you a lot and I hope to see you here in Spain!

19th Day - Friday 25th September by Mariona Guillamet

Yesterday was the last morning in Flint Hill School and a long traveling day. I got up very early to finish my luggage, I had something for breakfast and I left Maddie's home. I was a little bit sad because I couldn't say goodbye to some family members because they had to flew quickly to New York cause their aunt had a baby. The family was also sad and they made me a video of goodbye and I like it a lot. I will miss them a lot!!

When Maddie and I arrived at school, we met at the Spanish class with the other exchange students. There we ate muffins, little donuts and we drank juice. All the American families wanted to give us a detail, a Flint Hill T-shirt, and I love it! We took some photos with the T-shirts and then it arrived the moment to say goodybye to our hosts. It was a sad moment because we have lived very good and unforgettable experiences all together; the parties, the baseball and football games, the charity race, hanging out with friends in the high school, going to Tyson's Corner for shopping, watching movies in the cinema and at home, the dinners with the family and friends and a lot of more awesome moments. 

Then we were saying goodbye to all the friends that we met during our trip and we took a bus to go to Baltimore- Washington airport. We flew to Charlotte, we were very happy of flying save and the most important: with no problems! After about one hour and a half we landed and we caught the transatlantic flight to go to Barcelona. We arrived at 7 o'clock in the morning, we took our luggage and the bus driver drove us to Les Borges Blanques. There we met with our families. It was an exciting moment for me cause I've missed them a lot!! 

In my opinion, this trip has been a big chance of practising English, meeting new people and having great time. It has been an unforgettable experience. The American family has treated me like if I were another member of their family and I can't be more thankful to them. Thank you for all!!

19th Day - Friday 25th September by Núria Güell Araque

Yesterday was the last day in Washington, so I had to get up earlier to finish packing my luggage. Then I had breakfast and Michelle and I left home at 6:40 AM, after saying goodbye to her parents. When we arrived home, we met all Spanish and American exchange students at the Spanish classroom, and there we ate some cookies, muffins, and drank juice.

Then, our exchange students wanted to give us something to remember them forever, and they gave us a Flint Hill T-shirt. It was a very nice gift! After giving us the T-shirt it was almost 8 AM, and so they had to go to the Advisory. It was the time to say goodbye, we all were very sad and we didn't want to come back, because we spent a long time with all of them, like pool parties, lessons at FHS, shopping in the afternoons, dances at the High School, moments with the families...

When the American students were in their lessons, we walked by all the hallways of the High School, just to say goodbye to all the different places that where our home for so many days and at 9:30 AM we got a shuffle bus and went to the airport of Washington - Baltimore. We arrived at almost 10:30 AM, we checked in, we had lunch and at 1 PM we boarded. That plane flew for about 1:30 hour to Charlotte-Douglas Airport, and at 4:45 PM we took another plane to Barcelona.

It has been a great experience, we have learnt so much English and I hope to see again all the American Students, because they are very good people and I will miss them so much!

Michelle, her parents and I, just before I left.

All the Spanish students with the Flint Hill T-shirts.

The last photo of Michelle and I, just a moment before leaving America.

19th Day - Friday 25th September by Anna Berent Palau

Yesterday was a day very emotive because it was the last day with the families and with the American exchange students. I got up at 6 a.m., I finished my luggage and I said goodbye all the family. Then I had to be in the high school earlier than the other days because our American teachers planned a breakfast all together before the classes. This was our last morning in Flint Hill School. I was a little bit sad because I had to say goodbay everywhere and everybody. My family gave me a bracelet to think about them. I will miss them a lot!

When all the exchange students arrived at the Spanish class we started eating some typical American cookies and cupcakes and after that the American people gave us a Flint Hill shirt for each Spanish student and to our Spanish teachers too. When it was time to go to the classes the American had to go there and we were in a diferent classroom to say goodbye. Before leaving I looked for my exchange student, Rachel and we hugged for a long time, I didn't want to leave. It was time to say goodbye for the last time.

After we took a bus from Flint Hill to Baltimore airport. We flew to Charlotte and this time we could do it on time! After we flew with another plane to go to Barcelona airport. We arrived there at 7 a.m. and then we took a bus to Les Borges Blanques where our families were waiting for us. It was a special moment because I met my family.

The trip ended but my relationship with Rachel starts now. I'm so proud to have met Rachel and her hold family because I felt with them like in my house. This trip is one of the best experiences in my life and I have to say thank you to everybody who planned and made this trip. For me, this trip has been a chance for practising my English, making new friends, knowing other places... Thank you for all of this stuff and I hope that this relationship will be forever !

When they gave us the shirts of Flint Hill. 

Saying goodbye ! 

When we were in the plane 

We are in Barcelona!