Thankful for the experience

Nine of the 15 foreign exchange students at Jay County High School recently took a few minutes out of their school day to talk with the Commercial Review about Thanksgiving.

This is the first American Thanksgiving for all of them.

What do they know

about the holiday?

“I know it’s a lot about turkey,” said Angie Montebello of France. “That’s the only thing that I know.” 

Three students from Spain — Oskar Alart, Hugo Gutierrez and Naroa Zugasti — are familiar with Thanksgiving from movies.

“Families meet each other and have lunch and celebrate,” said Zugatsti. 

“The whole family meet in the same house and they have dinner or lunch or something,” Gutierrez agreed.

Alart said his impressions of American high school from movies have turned out to be accurate, so he expects Thanksgiving to be the same. 

Carla Alashkar is from Lebanon and has never seen Thanksgiving in the movies, but has learned a bit from her host family.

“I know some stuff like there is a family gathering and they have like a big meal,” she said.

Livia Luzzi of Italy also listened to descriptions from her host family.

“It seems like a party or something,” she said. “They just get together and eat.”

Labibah “Lily” Awliya saw Thanksgiving in a lot of movies before coming to the United States from Indonesia.

When she applied for foreign study, “I wrote that one of the things I want to experience in America is having a Thanksgiving dinner,” she said.

Isabella Puusepp from Estonia is looking forward to the big Thanksgiving meal. She’s not worried about trying new foods.

“I’m open to everything,” she said.

Gutierrez isn’t quite so sure.

“I’m kind of nervous it if doesn’t look like I will like it,” he admitted, “but I always try it.”

Lucie Henneaux of Belgium hasn’t tried pumpkin pie yet and is a little concerned because she doesn’t like cinnamon. Even so, she’s determined to take a bite.

“If there is pumpkin pie, I’m going to try it,” she said.

Of course, not every try is a success. Zugasti, however, is a born diplomat.

“I just try to pretend that I like it even if I don’t,” she said.

All the students plan to help out in the kitchen — cooking if they can or at least clearing up and washing dishes.

And they are prepared to express their thanks.

Henneaux is looking forward to it.

“I can’t wait to … say what I’m grateful for and also know what (her host family is) grateful for,” she said.

What are they

thankful for?

Oskar Alart from Spain lives with Mark and Jen DeHoff

“My (host) family because they’re helping me a lot. I feel like they are my real family.”

Carla Alashkar from Lebanon lives with Chris and Jennifer Nibarger

“I’m thankful for everything. For the whole experience I’m living right now. I’m so grateful.”

Labibah “Lily” Awliya from Indonesia lives with Pat and Chrissy Krieg

“Right now, I’m just so thankful that I’m here in Portland, Indiana. I’m so thankful and grateful for my host family because they really supported me so much.”

Hugo Gutierrez from Spain lives with Patrick and Hannah Long

“I’m thankful about my family because they gave me a chance to come here.”

Lucie Henneaux from Belgium lives with Bobby and Cheryl Ruiz

“I’m grateful to be here. …  I’m very lucky.” Her host family doesn’t usually do the “big American thing” at Thanksgiving but this year they will for her sake. “I’m so excited.”

Naroa Zugasti from Spain lives with Frank and Marcie Vormohr

“I’m thankful for being here. Experiencing this. It’s way different from what I’m used to in Spain, so I’m really thankful for that.”

Angie Montebello from France lives with Ken and Rene Denton

“I’m grateful for being here and experiencing this. Having parents that support me.”

Isabella Puusepp of Estonia lives with Chris and Jennifer Nibarger

“When I got the scholarship (to study abroad), I was like, ‘I don’t know if I should go or not’ and my friends were like, ‘Go!’ And now I’m here and I’m in a very happy place in my life.”

Livia Luzzi from Italy lives with Matt and Sarah Lingo

“I always dreamed to come to America. … I’m just thankful for being here and to have my family back in Italy that supports me … and my host family here that supports me too.”