by EMILIE ALDEN and ALEXIS MARTIN
Meet sophomore Anita Martin and junior Devon Dawson- a friendship turned sisterhood.
Martin came to Southern California from Zaragoza, Spain, 195 miles east of Barcelona. Throughout the entirety of this school year she’s stayed with a new Chadwick family every three months in various homes within the South Bay. Martin is part of the global program, Assist, where Chadwick hosts a student every year. So far, she has connected with Dawson, fellow sophomore Lucy Cushman and currently with junior Sammy Santa Ana.
Living in America was all Martin ever wanted and more: “I am living the American dream. I never thought I would have this opportunity.”
Chadwick didn’t just offer a well-rounded education for Martin, but a special community. After stepping foot on campus for the first time, her expectations were exceeded thanks to Chadwick’s nurturing environment.
“Even though I have not been here my entire life, I really feel like I belong here. I was not expecting everyone to be so welcoming,” she says.
The open arms of Chadwick’s community only reached further out. Martin was blown away by how many people were willing to get to know her.
“People ask me about my country, my traditions. There is so much interest in me and my life. I really didn’t think it would be like
this.”
Being an exchange student has been an experience like no other for Martin. Whether it’s through the friendships she has formed or through simple activities such as coming home and talking with her host family for hours, each of her life experiences have been meaningful.
The study abroad program is not just life-changing for the student, but for the host family as well. “I have never had another kid living in the house with me,” Dawson said. “So that was a new experience. And a lot of people say, like, ‘Oh, you’re so lucky to be an only child.’ But I honestly think it was so much more fun to have another friend in the house. It was amazing.”
Senior Emilie Alden has hosted four exchange students throughout her middle and high school years.
“Hosting an exchange student was one of the best of
my life,” she said. “I hosted Klara Skoglund during last school year, and the memories we made together were priceless.”
Although Skoglund’s time with Alden’s family was only for a year, the impact of having an exchange student was immeasurable.
“I gained a friend for life, and I truly believe that everyone should go on an exchange or host someone at least once in their life,” Alden said.
“While I taught Klara about American culture, she taught me a
lot about Swedish culture too. She introduced me to Swedish meat-
balls and lingonberry sauce, and we even visited the local Swedish church near my house to try traditional Swedish candy. I learned so many Swedish words too and I got to practice them when I visited her family in Sweden!”
In June, Martin plans to return to her family in Spain. But she will always remember the lifelong connections and memories she’s
made during her time in America, and with the Chadwick community.
The mutual bond formed between Martin and Dawson transcends international borders. “Anita has become like a little sister to me,” Dawson said. “And it was the best thing that has ever happened to me this year by far.”
Next year, Chadwick will welcome an exchange student from Lithuania. If you are interested in hosting her, please reach out to Thomas Hattori (thattori@chadwickschool.org) on the Global Programs Board!
The Mainsheet 