Onyinyechi Okonkwo - Richmond, Texas
Headed to Wellesley College, Onyinyechi intends to double major in Neuroscience and Data Science on a pre-medicine pathway, with the goal of becoming a Neurourgeon.
When a student from another country arrives at our school as an exchange student, it can be an intimidating experience for them. They are plunged into an entirely new environment, culture, and language. As members of the student body and community, we have an important role to play in making these exchange students feel at home and helping them integrate smoothly. By taking active steps to connect with them and share our cultures, we can provide invaluable opportunities for mutual understanding and personal growth.
One of the most direct ways we can assist exchange students is by serving as cultural ambassadors and mentors. Introducing them to our traditions, social norms, and way of life can help demystify aspects of American culture that may seem strange initially. In turn, we should enthusiastically embrace opportunities to learn about their cultures. Asking questions, attending events they organize, and experiencing cuisine from their home countries are great ways to expand our horizons.
Forming personal connections is also key. We should make an effort to welcome exchange students into our friend groups and extracurricular activities. Including them in our social circles prevents them from feeling isolated and allows cultural exchange to occur organically through shared experiences and conversations. A simple gesture like inviting an exchange student to join a sports team, club, or study group can mean the world in making them feel included.
As I cultivated Korean fluency through the NSLI-Y program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, I learned the importance of open and sustained dialogue across cultures. Through immersive discussions with students from around the globe, I developed intercultural skills that allowed me to embrace contrasting perspectives. This taught me that fear of change often breeds hostility and misunderstanding between cultures. The bullying that exchange students tragically experience sometimes stems from this fear.
To combat this, we must lead with empathy, respect, and a willingness to learn. By organizing events that celebrate diversity or starting clubs that bring exchange students together with their American peers, we can build connections that transcend xenophobia. Studying their home countries and languages shows we value their backgrounds. In the classroom, teachers can create inclusive environments by making space for exchange students to share their cultures.
Ultimately, hosting exchange students is a mutually enriching experience when done right. Yes, integrating them requires effort and understanding, but that investment pays dividends. We will gain expansive worldviews, new friends, and a greater sense of our role as global citizens. More importantly, we can serve as ambassadors of acceptance—ensuring our schools and communities are beacons of unity, not division. By embracing exchange students wholeheartedly today, we plant seeds of cross-cultural harmony for tomorrow.