Exchange students add to diversity of life at Tecumseh High School

Imagine crossing the Atlantic Ocean to go to high school in a faraway country without family and friends around you every day. For exchange students, Jana (pronounced “Yana”) Heineking and Maija (pronounced Maya) Jantti, the past 10 months have been an exercise in cultural immersion here in Tecumseh far away from the people they love.“The kids are brave,” said Tecumseh High School Principal Griff Mills. “It takes a lot of courage to travel far from home.”Students from other countries aren’t the only ones who benefit from time in the United States. Mills believes exchange students enrich the high school.History and information about different countries become more personal to American students when shared by young people who live in those countries. Exchange students are able to expand on information found in textbooks, sharing the reality of life outside the United States.This year there are nine students from other countries spending the school year in Tecumseh. “Exchange students add to the diversity of our school,” Mills said. “They bring understanding of other cultures to students.”Tecumseh High School does not actively bring exchange students into the school, but works with exchange programs. The programs contact local families to host foreign students, and then notify the district which students will be attending the high school. The only qualifier from THS is exchange students must be current high school students.Both girls are living lives very different from what they were used to in their home countries. Despite the differences, life in Tecumseh has been a completely positive experience. “It’s been amazing,” said Maija. “I don’t want to go back home.”School is very different for Jana from what she was used to. Students do not select classes they want to take, but instead follow the coursework assigned by the school.“In Germany, we don’t have the same schedule,” Jana said. “We have 12 classes a week.”Her school days are sometimes nine hours, but she has shorter class periods during the day. “We learn more in every class,” said Jana.Maija has become an only child in her life in America as an exchange student. The hustle and bustle of her Finnish family is missing with her host family, the Carlsons.“It’s really quiet,” Maija said with a smile.Maija is enjoying time with the furry family members at her host home. Cats are a new and fun experience.“I never had pets before,” she said.Both girls have been active with extra-curricular sports during their time at THS. “All these kids are really good students,” Mills said. “We try to get them into some kind of activity right away to help them get connected.”Jana was a gymnast in Germany, specializing in the vault. Soccer has been her American sport, and Jana has enjoyed playing with Tecumseh students.Maija is part of a synchronized ice skating team through Adrian College. She has been a skater for 10 years in Finland.“This year I did higher level skating,” said Maija about her experience with Adrian College.Unlike exchange students from years past, both Jana and Maija find staying in touch with family and friends back home simple. Social media helps both girls to stay connected, making an easier transition between home and America.“We Skype every week or two,” Jana said of how she interacts with her family.Missing family was difficult at first for both girls, but their relationships with their host families helped with the transition.“I didn’t expect my host family to be a new family,” Jana said of her surprise at the strong relationship with the Ford family.Both girls were able to see more of the United States than just Michigan as they traveled with their host families. Maija visted Florida, Chicago, Colorado, Wisconsin, and Ohio, while Jana traveled to Florida, Chicago and Colorado.Meeting new people and trying new things have been the most enjoyable part of Maija’s experience in the United States. “I feel like I keep saying ‘Oh, I’ve never had that before,’” she said.Although the two girls will be traveling back home across the Atlantic in June, they hope to return for visits and possibly even to attend college here. The ties they have with their host families are strong and will keep them connected even after the girls leave Tecumseh.Jana and Maija recommend being part of the exchange student program. “If you have a chance you should,” Maija said. “It’s an amazing experience.”Any family interested in sponsoring an exchange student can contact Mills for information about the exchange programs. He can be reached at 423.6008 extension 7105 or via email at gmills@tps.k12.mi.us.