This fall, the sophomore class welcomed Network Exchange students from Europe to join the Sacred Heart Greenwich community. Isabel (Isa) García arrived at the end of September from Madrid, Spain, and spent a month with Erin McCooey ’28. Vivian MacKinnon arrived from Vienna, Austria, in mid-October and stayed with Eleanor Kelleher ’28. Marine Dehlinger from Nantes, France, also arrived in mid-October and is staying with Ruby Garten ’28. Isa, Vivian, and Marine reflected on their trip to the United States (US) and compared the similarities and differences to their lives in their home countries.
Isa arrived from Madrid September 27 and stayed until October 25. She was initially interested in traveling to the United States (US) to gain a new experience and explore new places. During her time with Erin, they went to New York City (NYC) to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park, and SoHo to go shopping. They also went to New Hampshire to watch a college football game and explore a different town. Isa’s favorite activity was experiencing American football for the first time. Although the activities deepened their friendship, both girls shared that talking and sitting together also created a deeper bond. Isa described some of the differences between her time with Erin compared to her life in Madrid.
“A difference is that [Sacred Heart] starts school at 8:25[a.m.],” Isa said. “In Spain, we start school at 9:00 [a.m.,] so while staying here, I have to wake up much earlier than usual. [Another difference is that] here the school is only girls, and mine is co-educational.”
Vivian decided to visit from October 16 to November 3 because she had heard about high school life in America and wanted to experience it for herself. Throughout her stay in the US, Vivian and Eleanor went to Sacred Heart’s homecoming dance, a Broadway show, a Billie Eilish concert, a haunted house, and a high school football game. Vivian commented on her favorite activity while staying with Eleanor.
“[My favorite thing so far was] going to the [New York] city,” Vivian said. “We don’t have that in Austria, [and] I don’t think there is anything like [it].”
During Marine’s stay in New York from October 16 to November 9, she and Ruby attended the Sacred Heart homecoming dance, a Broadway show, a high school football game, a haunted house, and a trunk or treat. Marine said her favorite outing was going to see Aladdin on Broadway, as well as going to the Top of the Rock observatory in NYC. Although she had been to the US before, Marine spoke about why she wanted to come again.
“I just love this country,” Marine said. “I’ve been here before, but to another part, so I just wanted to experience this. My mom came to [New York] when she was 19 years old, and I wanted to see it for myself. [I wanted to be a part of this program] to see how people live instead of just tourist things.”
The Sacred Heart Network Exchange Program provides a cultural immersion for students from all over the world. Marine commented on the kind and welcoming environment at Sacred Heart Greenwich.
“Everyone is really friendly; it is really different from France,” Marine said. “The atmosphere is so welcoming.”
Featured Image by Elizabeth Galgano ’28
