Senior student Victoria Pestalozzi’s foreign exchange year in Minnesota has been shaped by new routines, unfamiliar spaces and constant adjustment. Originally from Switzerland, she came to Minnesota in August to experience American high school life from the beginning of the school year and immerse herself in a new culture. Entering a school system, climate and daily activities that differed greatly from what she knew, she was forced to adapt quickly. Over time, however, those differences have shaped her experience here.
During her first months in Minnesota, Victoria experienced a noticeable adjustment period as everyday life felt unfamiliar in ways she may not have expected. As she became more acclimated to her new surroundings and daily routines, those early challenges gradually became easier to navigate.
One of the most challenging parts of Victoria’s adjustment involved learning how the American school day is structured, including longer class periods, fewer classes per semester and less free time during the school day compared to schools in Switzerland.
Victoria described how here she takes about six classes for an entire semester with limited break time during the school day, while in Switzerland, students typically take around 11 classes, having changing daily schedules, receive 15-minute breaks between classes, and have lunch periods that can last up to two hours. These differences required her to rethink how she manages her time during the school day overall.
Despite learning and completing coursework in a non-native language, Victoria has adapted well to the academic expectations of her classes and has also found her place socially within the classroom environment. According to her biology teacher Peter Stenross, she not only understands complex material that relies heavily on academic vocabulary, but also works productively with classmates on group projects and lab experiments and has formed connections through after-school activities like cross-country.
Stenross said she is “doing very well” and has shown strong confidence while adjusting to the expectations of his class.
Outside of the classroom, Victoria’s experience in Minnesota has been shaped by close friendships that helped her feel supported while living far away from home. Spending time together through school activities and daily interactions allowed her friends to learn about Swiss culture and her experiences as a teenager living in another country.
Sophomore student Laura Jurek, who first met Victoria while running together on the cross-country team, explained that she is always willing to try new things and described her as a kind, funny, sympathetic person.
As her exchange year continues, Victoria’s experience in Minnesota reflects more than just a change in location. The challenges she faced, like adjusting to a new education system and building friendships, highlight the true reality of a foreign exchange student. Her time at SAHS shows how stepping outside of her comfort zone can lead to personal growth and lasting understanding that leads to a broader, more open-minded perspective of life.
