Did you know New Castle has a foreign exchange student that attends New Castle Junior/Senior High School? I have been given the opportunity to do an exclusive interview with our  fifteen year old foreign exchange student Maria Sergiienko.  Maria was born and raised in Ukraine where she lived with her Mom, Dad, and older sister.  Maria is involved in a program called Flex which gave her the opportunity to come to the United States and attend  New Castle High School for the 2018-2019 academic year.  Maria will be staying with a host family for her remaining time at New Castle Senior High School before going back to Ukraine in June 2019.

Q-What did you have to do to win the program?

Maria-” I had three tours, on the first tour I had to write an English test. On the second tour I had to write three essays on why I would like to go to the USA. On the third tour I had to explain a lot about myself in detail and do many tests.”

Q-What is different about the school here than your school in Ukraine?

Maria-” We have one educational system for all schools in Ukraine. We have around twenty subjects to learn from first grade till eleventh grade. In Ukraine we can not pick our classes we are stuck with whatever we get even if it’s too complicated. But here in New Castle you have different educational systems for each school. In New Castle you guys also only have four main subjects and a few fun classes. Also you guys get to select what classes you would like to take and the teacher just  has to agree.”

Q-When did you come to Pennsylvania and how long are you here for?

Maria-” I came to Pennsylvania the 21st of August and I am here till the 10th of June.”

Q-What is your favorite candy in Ukraine and in the USA?

Maria-” My favorite candy in Ukraine is called Lion and in the USA I like Reese’s.”

Q-What grade are you in?

Maria-” In Ukraine I am in 10th grade and in the USA I am a 12th grader.”

Q-What are some of your hobbies outside of school?

Maria-” My hobbies outside of school in Ukraine is I would go to an art studio everyday, I would do a bunch of different sports, and play piano. In the USA my hobbies outside of school are take instagram pictures and hangout with friends.”

Q-What type of music do you like to listen to?

Maria-” I like to listen to everything I don’t really have a favorite genre of music.”

Q-What do you want to do when you get out of highschool?

Maria” When I get out of high school I want to go to an university in Europe then I would like to move to the USA.”

Q-Who inspires you to be a better person?

Maria- ” My parents inspire me to be a better person because for me my family is a perfect example of an ideal relationship and they show great outlooks on life. I also inspire myself to be a better person because I always think of how I can improve myself.”

Q-How did you get used to the seven hour time difference?

Maria- ” How I got used to the seven hour time difference is the first week I was really tired and did not want to eat. But then I slowly started to get used to the time difference and by the third week I felt normal.”

Maria’s host family are Michael and Kimberly Majocka. The couple live by themselves when they are not hosting a student. Maria’s host family like to do a lot of activities with her to keep her busy and explore new things.  Michael and Kimberly have adult children of their own who are currently pursing their own vocations and interest.  They treat Maria like she is one of their own daughters. Having a host family is not easy but Michael and Kimberly make it easier for her.  Maria likes and enjoys her family very much and is happy how everything is working out so far. She is enjoying every moment of her experience!!