Thomas Schaper, who is studying at Estacada Significant School, is chosen as ICES pupil of the month
It is really been an strange year to be a overseas exchange student, but Thomas Schaper is having fun with his time in Estacada.
Schaper, 16, of Berlin, Germany, has been picked as the Worldwide Cultural Trade Expert services university student of the thirty day period for January. He is remaining with the Rex loved ones in Estacada and attending Estacada Higher College. Schaper is 1 of 600 significant school trade college students who arrived to the United States as a result of ICES this university calendar year.
Just a person 7 days right after arriving in Estacada, Schaper and his host family members experienced to evacuate because of the Clackamas County Wildfires, one of which arrived in just a fifty percent mile of metropolis restrictions. Schaper and the Rexes stayed at a hotel and then with relations right before the evacuation get was lifted. Schaper credits the experience with helping him bond with his host family.
Even though lessons at Estacada Large Faculty have been online mainly because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Schaper has appreciated his time at Estacada Higher Faculty.
“I was incredibly content to start faculty, even while it was on line,” he mentioned, introducing that he’s been equipped to make mates by texting his classmates. “I am fortunate to be at Estacada Significant College. Instructors assist a great deal, and the university is truly helpful to exchange students. Even though it can be on the web, it can be nonetheless rather entertaining.”
Various weeks following the very first working day of faculty, Schaper participated in an occasion referred to as Senior Sunrise. He and his classmates woke up at 3:15 a.m. and gathered to view the sun rise. He described it as 1 of the most specific recollections of his exchange.
Schaper also participated in an abbreviated basketball year this slide, in the course of which contributors wore confront masks. He hopes to perform in a extended year this spring.
Schaper has enjoyed checking out the Oregon Coast and other locations all around the point out with his family. He is been particularly impressed with Oregon’s trees.
“I am actually tall (just shy of 6-toes, 6-inches) but it’s awesome to see trees in this article that are even taller than me,” he reported.
Halfway by means of the knowledge, Schaper credits his exchange yr with creating him a lot more unbiased. Again in Germany, his young brother has applied to take part in an exchange with ICES this fall.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created his practical experience in the United States unique from what he anticipated, but Schaper has enjoyed it.
“It can be diverse than I believed (my exchange) would be, but I believe it really is terrific. Even nevertheless I cannot do some of the things I wanted to do, I have developed truly shut to my host spouse and children and they feel like relatives,” he stated.
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