Bastian Knoblach, 12
What do your friends call you?
“Bastian.”
What is your home country?
“Germany.”
What languages do you speak?
“German, English, French.”
Why did you choose the United States for your exchange program?
“Big diversity.”
How did you end up in Kansas City?
“Randomly assigned.”
In what American city did you most hope to be placed?
“Los Angeles.”
What are your goals for your time in the United States?
“Have a great experience.”
What do you miss most about home?
“My family”
Which class is most difficult?
“College Algebra.”
What do you think about Kansas City? What do you like most about being here?
“The chiefs.”
What activities do you do outside of school?
“Meeting with friends, activities with my host family.”
What is your favorite food to eat while in the United States?
“Burgers.”
What’s the worst food you have eaten since you came to the United States?
“Nothing.”
Are you in any activities at Staley?
“Soccer.”
What surprised you most about life here?
“How relaxed people are.”
Marina Efimova, 12
What do your friends call you?
“Marina.”
What is your home country?
“Russia”
What languages do you speak?
“Russian.”
Why did you choose the United States for your exchange program?
“It was my childhood dream to visit this country.”
How did you end up in Kansas City?
“I couldn’t choose my state. My host family chose me and I am here.”
In what American City did you most hope to be placed?
“Los Angeles.”
What are your goals for your time in the United States?
“To improve my language and make good friends.”
What do you miss most about home?
“My friends and family, and Russian food.
What class is most difficult?
“US history.”
What do you think of Kansas City? What do you like most about being here?
“I like this city. The nature is beautiful.”
What activities do you do outside of school?
“I used to go to the pool when it was open.”
What is your favorite food to eat while in the United States?
“Grilled cheese.”
What is the worst food you have eaten since you came to the United States?
“Tomato soup.”
Are you in any sports or activities at Staley?
“No.”
What surprised you most about life here?
“People smile every time.”
Haruki Ando, 12
What do your friends call you?
“Haruki.”
What is your home country?
“Japan.”
What languages do you speak?
“Japanese.”
Why did you choose the United States for your exchange program?
“I wanted to improve my English and meet a lot of new people.”
How did you end up in Kansas City?
“Randomly.”
In what American city did you most hope to be placed?
“I didn’t hope because I knew I couldn’t choose the city.”
What are your goals for your time in the United States?
“Finding a future goal.”
What do you miss most about home?
“Trains that allow us to go out freely on our own.”
What class is most difficult?
“AP Government.”
What do you think of Kansas City? What do you like most about being here?
“I like the wide lawns between houses, beautiful neighborhood and I really like the morning and evening skies.”
What activities do you do outside of school?
“None.”
What is your favorite food to eat while in the United States?
“Tacos, apples.”
What is the worst food you have eaten since you came to the United States?
“The cake was too sweet.”
Are you in any sports or activities at Staley?
“I joined Art Club, Asian Student Union and I attended basketball practice several times.”
What surprised you most about life here?
“The assembly. We don’t have one in Japan so I didn’t know what would happen at first. I was surprised to see them stand up and call like 24! 24!”
Ignacio Ledesma Garcia, 12
What do your friends call you?
“Nacho.”
What is your home country?
“Spain.”
What languages do you speak?
“Spanish, English.”
Why did you choose the United States for your exchange program?
“I have chosen this country because I would like to study abroad for a year and live the experience that many people have, including my mother.”
How did you end up in Kansas City?
“I was randomly assigned. And I like it so much.”
In what American city did you most hope to be placed?
“Minnesota.”
What are your goals for your time in the United States?
“Making as much friends as I can, traveling everywhere and speak English.
What do you miss most about home?
“My family.”
What class is most difficult?
“Psychology.”
What do you think of Kansas City? What do you like most about being here?
“I love the plenty of nature that Kansas City has. The place where I am hosted is really peaceful and you can go outside and there is no noise.”
What activities do you do outside of school?
“Soccer, and I would like to join the tennis club.”
What is your favorite food to eat while in the United States?
“Cheeseburgers.”
What is the worst food you have eaten since you came to the United States?
“Pizza.”
Are you in any sports or activities at Staley?
“Yes, soccer.”
What surprised you most about life here?
“People are really kind to you and the importance they give to sports is huge.”
Dario Truan Calo, 12
What do your friends call you?
“Dario.”
What is your home country?
“Spain.”
What languages do you speak?
“Spanish.”
Why did you choose the United States for your exchange program?
“To learn English.”
How did you end up in Kansas City?
“Randomly.”
In what American city did you most hope to be placed?
“I didn’t have a priority.”
What are your goals for your time in the United States?
“Learn a lot of English and live a new experience.”
What do you miss most about home?
“Friends and family.”
What class is most difficult?
“Algebra.”
What do you think of Kansas City? What do you like most about being here?
“It’s a beautiful place and I like the school the most.”
What activities do you do outside of school?
“Soccer.”
What is your favorite food to eat while in the United States?
“Tacos.”
What is the worst food you have eaten since you came to the United States?
“Sandwich.”
Are you in any sports or activities at Staley?
“Soccer.”
What surprised you most about life here?
“How nice the people are.”
Telmo Escanciano Garica, 10
What do your friends call you?
“Telmo.”
What is your home country?
“Spain.”
What languages do you speak?
“Spanish, English, and Basque.”
Why did you choose the United States for your exchange program?
“To live a different experience.”
How did you end up in Kansas City?
“I was randomly assigned.”
In what American city did you most hope to be placed?
“I didn’t care.”
What are your goals for your time in the United States?
“Improve my English and have fun.”
What do you miss most about home?
“My family.”
What class is most difficult?
“Psychology.”
What do you think of Kansas City? What do you like most about being here?
“It’s perfect and I like the people the most.”
What activities do you do outside of school?
“Soccer.”
What is your favorite food to eat while in the United States?
“Cinnamon rolls.”
What is the worst food you have eaten since you came to the United States?
“Corn.”
Are you in any sports or activities at Staley?
“Soccer team.”
What surprised you most about life here?
“The distance between places.”
Giovanna Sarubbo, 9
What do your friends call you?
“Giovanna.”
What is your home country?
“Brazil.”
What languages do you speak?
“Portuguese.”
Why did you choose the United States for your exchange program?
“To improve my English and have the experience of living high school.”
How did you end up in Kansas City?
“I chose Kansas City because I have relatives.”
In what American city did you most hope to be placed?
“Kansas City.”
What are your goals for your time in the United States?
“Live the best experience, improve my English and make good friends.”
What do you miss most about home?
“My friends and family.”
What class is most difficult?
“Honors biology.”
What do you think of Kansas City? What do you like most about being here?
“A very calm and peaceful place with very kind people.”
What activities do you do outside of school?
“Nothing.”
What is your favorite food to eat while in the United States?
“Donuts.”
What is the worst food you have eaten since you came to the United States?
“Fruit snacks.”
Are you in any sports or activities at Staley?
“Cheer.”
What surprised you most about life here?
“People have their friendship groups and it’s very difficult to get intimate and make friends here, unlike Brazil where you create new friendships very quickly.”
