For several students visiting North Penn from overseas, it is hard to believe that they find themselves half-way through their American school year. The students – Paul de Bellefon (France), Lucia Sanchez-Paus (Spain), Nana Western (Germany), Tabea Seeßelberg (Germany), and Linus Cerbe (Germany) – all left their families and arrived here back in August ready to live the American experience.
The International Friendship Club (IFC) is a club organized in order to facilitate the exchange students’ integration into North Penn, while also providing opportunities for current NPHS students to explore other cultures and possibly go abroad themselves. The club officers and advisor Mrs. Noriko Coyle organize monthly meetings for students in which the exchange students and members can interact and share experiences.
The first day of school brought on immense challenges that many of us take for granted. Back in September, while many students were frantic about the new school year, new teachers, and new schedules, the exchange students found themselves trying to adjust to an American high school and the language. Overwhelmed by the size of North Penn, the exchange students found themselves experiencing culture shock as they stepped into a new high school experiecne– something they had only previously seen in movies. Luckily for them, the IFC stepped in and the officers gave the exchange students a tour of the school, and then, for the first two weeks of school, each officer accompanied the foreigners to their classes.
In order to further integrate these students into American culture and to “break the ice,” the IFC organized a bowling outing for the officers and exchange students. The students hit the bowling alleys sporting smiles and bolwing shoes. The outing proved a success as the teens bonded over the game and over delicious cupcakes and snacks.
It was during the bowling outing that the officers came up with a surprise dinner at TGI Friday’s for Paul de Bellefon’s birthday. The all-American restaurant shocked the exchange students as it did not meet their expectations. Giant portions, deliciously fatty options, and an ice cream finish were definitely not the restaurant experience they have had in Europe; however, who cannot openly enjoy chocolate ice cream topped with M&M’s and whipped cream?
Continuing with a food theme, all officers and the students hopped on a train to explore our very own city of Philadelphia; starting at Reading Terminal Market. They made their way around the city visiting the famous landmarks and monuments such as Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.
“It’s just a bell!” exclaimed French exchange student Paul de Bellefon while observing Philadelphia’s pride and joy.
As the year progressed, the exchange students experienced their first Halloween as many of them never celebrated the holiday in their native country; however, Sandy altered the experience and the students were not able to get the full Trick-or-Treat experience.
Then, to kick off November, after Hurricane Sandy, the IFC held their monthly meeting, this time French themed. Students and members gathered in B107 in order to enjoy authentic French crepes and other tasty snacks prepared by Paul de Bellefon and the other IFC officers.
Also in November, the IFC held its annual North Penn Craft Show at North Penn in the cafeteria. Artists and crafters came from all around to sell their art, and the show provided a lucrative profit for the club, ultimately financing the exchange students’ trips to places like Washington DC and New York. Profits also went toward scholarships for our students abroad. The exchange students, IFC officers, and members showed up Friday night in order to help artist set up their booths, and all volunteers were back again Saturday, November 17th, to attend the craft show.
Their most previous event was a trip up to Bethlehem to do a little holiday shopping at the Christkindlmarket – a traditional German Christmas market. Accompanied by the German Club, students were able to walk up and down the aisles formatted by the wooden booths occupying crafters and their products.
“It was a lot like the Craft Show,” claimed Hannah Andrussier, an IFC officer.
The club will also be traveling to Philadelphia to visit a Japanese Market December 17, and their final event before the winter break will be their monthly meeting this time German themed. Presentations by the exchange students, Nana Western, Tabea Seeßelberg, Linus Cerbe, and last year’s returnees who spent the year abroad, Hannah Andrussier and Amanda Taggart, will be presented at the meeting on December 20th.
