Alpena Exchange Student Opens Up About His Time in Northeast Michigan
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to travel or even learn more about the world? Well, that’s what 13 exchange students attending Alpena High School are getting the opportunity to do.
16-year-old Kader Diop took a leap of faith to come to America from Senegal, a country in West Africa. Kader said learning is a bit different but he’s up for the challenge.
“You use computers here, and back in Senegal I should say we don’t use computers a lot, so it was challenging to me using computers typing and printing,” he explained.
Kader said he really loves Psychology. Feeling a bit home sick, Kader said his host family has truly made his stay in Alpena a joy.
“One day my mom she prepared one of my foods like back home. I couldn’t cook, because men don’t cook where I’m from, so she just downloaded the recipe and she cooked one of our traditional dishes and it was great, and I felt a lot better,” he admitted.
Learning new ways of life is a win, win situation for both the family and the student.
“It just helps you to appreciate other cultures more, see different points of views, understand more where people are coming from and have different perspectives, and just learn about different cultures,” ASSE Area Represetative, Lori Vought said.
Students come from all over the world to the small town of Alpena including China, France, Africa, Thailand and more. Competing for a scholarship to come to America, Kader said he is lucky to be here.
“I am completely thankful to God for this opportunity and for learning a lot of different ways,” Kader said.
To host a student there are a few requirements.
“There’s a paperwork process that we go through. We do a background check for all of our families. We do home inspections and we just want to make sure it’s a good fit for the family,” Vought said.
If you would like to become a host an application must be completed before the spring. Students usually arrive to Alpena in June and stay up to one year.
For more details contact the ASSE in Alpena at 989–340–0265.
