by Briana Applewhite ’13

April 8:

A student’s first day at a new school can be one of the most nerve-racking experiences in a person’s life, riddled with uncertainty, but not for Belgium foreign exchange student Vincent Engelbos, who was ready to experience what it is like to be a normal American high-schooler. “I wasn’t nervous at all. I was much more excited than anything to experience Sherwood High School,” said Engelbos.

Back home in Sint-Truiden, Belgium, Engelbos’ educational experience is completely different than it is here in America. Each day, Engelbos wakes up at 7 a.m. in order to be on time for his technical school, Technicum Sint-Truiden, which specializes in auto mechanics, mechanical engineering, electricity and woodshop. Engelbos has been studying at the institution for 11 years to become an electrician, a career that he decided upon at the age of nine.

Most American children barely have the capacity to tie their shoes correctly, let alone choose a career path at such a young age, but not for Engelbos. It is completely normal for Belgian children to continue their educations at specialized schools and he enjoys it that way. He takes courses in biology, advanced physics and computer science to fulfill his course load requirements. Engelbos has also been studying the English language since the age of nine.

Here in America, Engelbos was astounded to see the different subjects offered in public schools. With his host, senior Jessica Carrera, he sat though such classes as AP Calculus, Studio Art and Psychology, one of his favorites throughout the day. “It’s really cool to see the diversity of classes offered here. In Belgium, our classes are so specialized to our future career fields, so it was nice to see a different side of education.”

Later on in the day, Engelbos decided to break the Sherwood rules and enjoy a lunch at Chipotle, a complete opposite to the modest baguette he would normally eat back home. However, it didn’t seem like rule breaking to him because in his home country students are allowed to leave and go into the city on an hour lunch break if they so choose.

“There seem to be a lot more regulations at this school compared to my own. In Belgium, we have a 10-minute break after every other class period. The one thing that I don’t really like here is that you cannot leave during your breaks and most people are confined to eat in the hallways.”

At the end of the day, Engelbos went back to the Carrera household where he enjoyed a traditional Ecuadoran dinner made by Mrs. Carrera.

“I love my host family; they are the best. They have been great to me since the day I came here. I almost like them more than my own parents,” Engelbos joked.

Even though some of the practices here were different from the ones back home, Engelbos nonetheless enjoyed the experience very much. In addition to his day at Sherwood, Engelbos visited New York, D.C. and the Amish of Pennsylvania. “I love America, and I hope to visit again very soon. I would not trade my experience for the world,” said Engelbos.