It's a Small World After All

Madelyn Shaughnessy and Alison GuhStaff WritersThe United States is often called the world’s “melting pot,” where people of all cultures, ethnicities and languages come from anywhere and everywhere to form a harmonious society. At Samo, international students from all around the world add to the flavor of the cultural mixture.International students at Samo must leave their home, friends and family behind to greet the unfamiliar and live a new life. Not only do they need to adapt to a strange new country and culture, but also to the busy and overwhelming atmosphere of Samo.One difficulty these students all shared after first arriving in America was becoming accustomed to a new school system.“I felt alone, surrounded by a sea of people,” Junior Riccardo Campagna, from Palermo, Italy, said.Campagna, who arrived just two weeks before the start of the school year, felt overwhelmed when everyone ran in all directions to get to class. He could hardly make it past the hallway without getting trampled or smashed against the lockers.The American Field Service (AFS), started in 1914 during World War I, gave Campagna the opportunity to come to the U.S. with a visa and host family.*Samo is a far cry from his school in Italy, which only has 800 students, compared to approximately 3,000 at Samo. Back home, Campagna kept the same classmates for five years, whereas Samo students change their classmates with each subject. Italian students begin specializing in subjects pertaining to their future career in high school, whereas U.S. students don't begin specializing until college.Junior Julian Hallberg from Berlin, Germany, came to the U.S. around the same time as Campagna. Immediately, Hallberg was confronted with many contrasts between his old life in Germany and his new one in Santa Monica.Hallberg has had a hard time adapting to the very structured educational system. In Germany, teachers grade more subjectively. They give no points for work, instead making notes based on the character of the student. This differs greatly from the work-based system at Samo.The school system also works differently from what junior Belay Legese is used to. He originally moved from Ethiopia to live in the U.S. with his father and brother several years ago. For one, Ethiopian schools have 11 periods a day, as opposed to the six at Samo. Though they have the same basic subjects as Samo, such as math, history, and science, they have several other supplemental classes.Furthermore, Legese finds it challenging adjusting to the rigid rules and structure of Samo.“I hate the Samo rules,” Legese joked. “Did you get that?”In Ethiopia, the rules dictated by the school are far more lenient and less limiting."They are too strong and give too many restrictions [here]." Legese said, becoming serious.Samo’s system is also entirely different from that of Alexandria, Egypt, the hometown of junior Farah Aly Ahmed. Ahmed is a dual citizen, holding both Egyptian and American citizenships. She moved here before the school year with her mother and father to stay with her older half brother.According to Ahmed, at the beginning of junior year in Alexandria, students can choose to study science or history. If a student chooses science, he or she takes chemistry, physics, and biology over the course of junior and senior year. If a student chooses history, then he or she learns philosophy and topography, as well as taking in depth history classes. This is completely unlike Samo, where students are required to fulfill certain requirements in every subject.On top of adjusting to the changes in school structure, the international students must familiarize themselves with the English language."Even if you studied the language at school, it's always hard when you're totally immersed in it. People here have different accents and pronunciation,” Campagna said. “Thanks to [Samo] though, I can improve [my English] very quickly because every lesson is different and brings new words with it. It's still challenging, but it has to be; if not, it means that I have nothing else new to learn."English is still challenging for Hallberg as well, despite having studied it since the third grade."It took me until about two years to really follow conversations. I still find it hard if people use a lot of slang or talk very fast, but I understand most of it," Hallberg said.Legese has also faced problems because of his unfamiliarity with English.“I had to quit [the soccer team],” Legese said. “I had a lot of subjects, so I [had] to make up [the work and] prepare my English.”Not only have they encountered difficulties in adjusting to a second language and the school system, but these international students also have had to deal with complete culture shock.“One big thing that is different is relationships,” Ahmed said. “[In Egypt] you do not see people kiss in public.”In Santa Monica and the U.S. in general, teenagers tend to be very open about their relationships, telling their friends and families about their significant others, as well as publicly displaying affection.In Egypt, teenagers are not nearly as open about their relationships, especially to their parents. Not all parents will accept their child having a boyfriend, especially one of a different religion.Furthermore, the majority of Ahmed’s friends back home were of a similar background, with the same ethnicity, religion, and upbringing. On the other hand, Santa Monica is very culturally diverse, with people coming from all backgrounds.“I think it is healthy to learn about different cultures,” Ahmed said. “My best friends here are Greek and Mexican.”While California is considered a very open minded and liberal state, there are still ignorant and prejudiced people everywhere. As a Muslim, she has faced some discrimination since she arrived here.“The other day, I saw a man [preaching] against Islam on a corner. I went up and talked to him, and he was very nice, saying ‘are you Muslim? Oh that’s very interesting.’ Later on I walked by and he was preaching again, using my mother and me as examples,” Ahmed said. “I went home and cried; I couldn’t believe that.”On top of that, Ahmed still misses many things about her hometown.“Of course I miss many things about [Alexandria],” Ahmed said. “My friends, my boyfriend…”Despite facing all these hardships, these students truly enjoy their new lives in America.Campagna’s love of Samo and the U.S has not been affected by the obstacles he has conquered. When asked if he would live here he exclaimed, “yes!” without a second thought. He admires everyone’s individuality and ability to express themselves.“There is so much freedom, coming here you have the possibility and the opportunity to be whoever you want,” Campagna said.At first finding it difficult to connect with Samo students, Hallberg realized how friendly everyone is at Samo and was able to make great friends.“Everyone is very open…there’s just new faces everyday,” Hallberg agreed with a smile.He also noticed the huge school spirit and support for team sports in school. In Germany, sports are only acknowledged as an out of school activity.Despite disliking the rules, Legese also enjoys many things about his new environment, from soccer to the new possibilities available everyday.“I like [to go to school] here,” Legese said. “I feel happy [that I am here] because there is more opportunity here than back home.”Though she has faced obstacles from adjusting to the school system to discrimination, Ahmed still loves to be in the U.S. and studying at Samo.“[Being at Samo] is like the whole world around you,” Ahmed said, referring to the cultural diversity at Samo. “[Comparing the U.S. to Egypt] is like comparing the sky to the earth.” *Many Samo students also take advantage of the opportunities offered by AFS by studying abroad for 6 months or a year.mshaughnessy@thesamohi.comaguh@thesamohi.com