3/5/2009 - Teenagers Speaking Any Language Are Teenagers

Written by Jacqueline Weaver
for The Ellsworth American

SULLIVAN — For many of the exchange students spending their year at Sumner Memorial High School, the most striking things about Maine are the snow, the ocean views and the trees.

For others it’s the cozy size of the high school, or the discovery of that American staple — the Whopper.

The six students Sumner is hosting this year come from various parts of the globe. They represent the largest group of exchange students in the 15 years the program has been in place at the high school.

The students stay with host families in the area and are sponsored by a variety of exchange programs: AFS intercultural programs, AYUSA Global Youth Exchange, and Pacific Intercultural Exchange. Some students also make arrangements on their own.

Having the exchange students at Sumner offers a glimpse of another way of life to local students.

“Most of our students have not done much traveling outside of the state of Maine, so to have students from another culture come here and share their lives and experiences with our students is powerful,” said Linda Penkalski, director of guidance. “These are all excellent and mature students who add ‘flavor’ to our school and student body.”

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