A Semester of Cultural Exchange: Salem Academy Welcomes Five Students from Guatemala

In October, Salem Academy welcomed five exchange students from Guatemala. The students came to the Academy through Faces & Our Cultures, a cultural exchange program between Guatemala and the U.S. that promotes bilateral cultural enrichment. 

The five students were assigned to Salem Academy for an eight-week exchange program that began shortly after fall break and ran through the end of the semester. During their time at Salem, each girl shared a room with an Academy boarding student, experienced life in the dorm, attended classes and social events, and became part of the Salem community. They also had the opportunity to spend Thanksgiving break with their classmates’ families, gaining a firsthand look at an American holiday and family life.

It was their first time in North Carolina, and the girls shared that they were initially nervous about fitting in and making friends in a culture so different from their own. “Before I came here, I thought a lot about how I was going to get out of my comfort zone to meet new people,” said one of the girls. Thankfully, the students all agreed that “everyone is really sweet here!” In addition to learning about life and school in America, each girl prepared a project highlighting aspects of Guatemalan culture to share with their Salem Academy classmates. 

When asked what advice they would give other Guatemalan girls who are considering the Faces & Our Cultures exchange program with Salem Academy, they said, “Be yourself and come with a clear mind and a sense of adventure. Discover and have fun!”