Meet Emily Geldart, a 15-year-old exchange student from Sydney, Australia who’s spending the school year with us. Whether you’ve seen her in class, at a school event, or chatting with friends in the hallway, she has quickly made herself at home in our school community. Her adventurous spirit and friendly personality have made her a standout addition to school life.
When asked about her experience in the U.S. so far, she says, “It’s been amazing! Everything is so different here, from the food to the school system. Everyone has been so welcoming.” While Emily misses the beach, she’s been making the most of her time here by exploring local attractions, participating in school activities, and bonding with her host family.
Her host family has also been a huge part of making her feel at home in the U.S. ”They’ve been so welcoming,” she says. ”They really made sure I felt comfortable from day one. They’ve also taught me a lot about American traditions.”
Emily’s host mom, Mrs. Skinner, describes her as “kind, curious, and full of energy.” She adds, “Emily has been teaching us about Australian slang and culture, and we’ve loved introducing her to some of our favorite American traditions.”
At school, she has become a familiar face in the hallways and at school events. “She’s super friendly and always up for a laugh,” says classmate Grace Thorrez. “It’s so cool hearing her talk about life in Australia. Plus, her accent is the best!”
”Emily brought a burst of energy to our school. Her stories, laughter, and unique perspective have made her feel like a true part of our community,” states her friend Taylor Cole.
Despite the differences between the U.S. and Australia, Emily has embraced her American high school experience with open arms. “I think the biggest difference is how fun and exciting school is here compared to Australian schools!” she states.
Emily has always been fascinated by American culture and couldn’t pass up the chance to live out her dream of experiencing high school in the U.S. “I’ve watched so many American TV shows and movies,” Emily says, laughing, ”It’s been amazing to see it all in real life.” In fact, she says the most surprising thing so far has been how much school spirit and pride Americans have, especially at football games. ”Back home, we don’t really have the same atmosphere at our sporting events, so it’s been so fun to see everyone get so into it.”
But what Emily loves most about her experience so far is meeting new people and sharing her Australian heritage: ”I love that people are curious about where I’m from. They ask questions about Australia, and I get to share cool things like our different holidays, food, and even Australian slang,” she explains.
Since arriving in the U.S., she has been jumping headfirst into American life. She’s made it a point to learn all about American traditions, like Halloween and Thanksgiving. She explains, ”I had no idea what pumpkin carving was until I saw it in action. Now I can’t wait for the next Halloween!”
For those curious about Emily’s homeland, here are a few things to know: netball, her favorite sport, is a bit like basketball but without dribbling. It’s fast-paced and popular among Australian girls. And as for surfing, she says, “There’s nothing like being on the water with the sun shining—it’s my happy place.”
We’re so lucky to have Emily with us this year and can’t wait to see how she continues to make her mark on our school!
