There are currently three exchange students attending school here. These students are from Germany, China, and Russia.

Sophomore Lennart Welke, from Gueckingen, Germany, is at first glance, tall and quiet. But when he smiles his features come to life. His voice is heavy with a thick accent, but that is not the only interesting thing about this 17-year old.

Welke lives his life by the philosophy of staying happy and being relaxed. This is only fitting for his hobbies which include snowboarding, playing video games and hanging out with his dogs. He also played tennis here, with his fellow exchange student, Da Dong Jing.

At first he was nervous, but now he feels very welcomed here in Harbor.

"I had no choice; I knew that I was coming to America and nothing else. I didn’t choose Harbor Springs, but I’m happy I’m here," said Welke.

Although he struggled with the language barrier at first, he has caught on quickly.

"I find it easier day-to-day speaking and understanding English," he said.

Russia

"Shiny faces," that’s the biggest difference between Americans and Russians in the eyes of Lyudmila (aka Lucy) Kalinina the, Russian exchange student.

This 16-year old had no fear when packing up her life in Saint Petersburg, Russia and moving to the U.S. to live with a family she had never met before. She chose to come to America during her last year of boarding school.

"I have nothing to lose," she said.

She loves the small town atmosphere of Harbor. At first she was awestruck at the empty roads and clean air. Coming from a heavily populated Russian city, the slower paced country attitude suits Kalinina perfectly. She has also come to adore the farm animals she lives with: cows, chickens, dogs, and cats. Back in Saint Petersburg the only animal she grew up with was a pet fish.

Harbor Springs schools aren’t like the school Kalinina describes in Russia. In Russia the school building includes all ages from Kindergarten to 11th grade (11th being the graduating year). A normal school day in Russia is from 9 am to 5 pm, six days a week.

Kalinina has already learned so much about our culture and it has broadened her view on America. Next year she is excited to go home and be the ‘cool kid’.

"Everyone will be like, wow you lived in America!" she said.

China

 

The first thing you might notice about this Tianjin Chinese native is his infectious laugh. Da Dong Jing always seems happy.

Jing arrived in Michigan this August and is planning to stay until after graduation in June. Coming from the busy city of Tainjin, Harbor Springs and our schools are very different for him.

"My school in China is huge compared to here. There are 350 students here and 8,000 back home," explained Jing.

But he’s adjusted to our small town. He especially enjoys nature.

"There are so many trees and deer all the time," he said.

Jing played on the boy’s tennis team with Lennart as number five doubles. Although their season is over, Jing is looking forward to many more school activities throughout the year.