Lola Rubio is an exchange student from Rosales, School of the Sacred Heart in Madrid, Spain. Rubio stayed with her host Isabella Prado ‘28 for four weeks in October.
The following interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
Is this your first time in the U.S.?
It is.
What’s your experience here in the U.S. been like?
I really liked it. I’ve gone to many places, and I’ve stayed with a really good exchange family.
How has it been being away from family?
Well, it’s not my first experience as an international student, so I was kind of used to it, but it’s hard sometimes. I miss my family, but not that much.
Why did you decide to do the exchange program?
My school gave us the opportunity, and I wanted to try it.
What did you want to gain from this experience?
I wanted to improve my English, make friends, and get to know new places.
What do you think about Carrollton?
Carrollton is amazing. It’s so different from my school in Spain, even though they’re both Sacred Heart schools.
What is different between Carrollton and your school?
For example, in my school everyone in the grade is the same age. So, if you were born in 2009, you’re in one grade, and if you’re born in 2010, you are in another one. Also, I feel like classes are harder there. They don’t actually make it that easy in Spain. I feel like exams are harder there.
What are some similarities between Carrollton and your school?
Well it’s not that similar, but they’re both Catholic, we also have Mass and the food program in Spain for lunch.
What has surprised you the most about this experience?
I didn’t expect it to go that fast. I’ve been in Miami for four weeks already.
What’s something that makes you feel like home while you’re away?
Probably spending time with my exchange family and the friends I made.
What have you loved about this experience?
Everything. Miami is amazing, Carrollton is amazing, and teachers made it easy for me. I was also working on stuff from Spain, so when I get back, it’s going to be easy.
What have you learned?
English for sure, and I’ve learned to be independent. Even though I have an exchange family, I have to be independent because there’s no one really telling me what to do.
Any final thoughts?
I think the program is amazing. Even though you don’t get to choose where you go, every option is a good one, and I loved it.
