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Students are coming from around the world to attend Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons School in Schenectady: The high school has many international students, some enrolled through foreign exchange programs and some who are living in America with relatives so they can attend school here.

Senior Tae Min Kang, for example, has been at ND-BG for about two and a half years. An 18-year-old from Korea, he's staying in the United States with his aunt and uncle.

After his aunt married her American husband, Tae Min said, "[She] called me and said, 'Why don't you come to the U.S. and learn English?'"

At first, his parents didn't like the idea, but they came to believe "it's a really good opportunity for me," he said.

Thirteen-year-old Adedamola "Daniella" Aderoju is in a similar situation. The ND-BG sophomore is from Nigeria, staying in the States with her aunt. "My parents always wanted me to [go to] school here," she explained.

Unexpected stay
Daniella didn't actually expect that to happen, though: She arrived in the Albany Diocese in August for what she thought was a summer vacation to visit her aunt; but, after researching schools and making the proper arrangements, her family decided that she should stay in the United States.

Her mother was happy about it, but her father was reluctant to leave her behind. Daniella said he was concerned that she would become a "bad girl" and take up smoking, as some American teenagers are shown doing in movies he'd seen.

For Daniella, studying in America means getting a well-rounded education.

"In Nigeria, it's all about books," she remarked. "Here, teachers ask you questions and care what you have to say."

There's also no corporal punishment in schools here, as there is in Daniella's home country. Daniella said she's definitely grateful that, "here, you're not allowed to be flogged or beat. I like the way all students are free."

She plans on staying in the United States at least until she finishes high school.

Rome is home
For Gaia Giobbi, being a senior at ND-BG doesn't mean she will finish her secondary education just yet: In Italy, where she is from, high schools and colleges run on a five-year schedule.

Gaia arrived in the Diocese the first of September and will be leaving the first of December. She is at ND-BG through an exchange program.

"It's expensive," she admitted; but "it's worth [it] to learn a different culture.

"First, I am here to learn the language," Gaia added. She says that, in Italy, it is nearly impossible to get a job without knowing English, but that teachers in Italian schools are not from English-speaking countries. She thinks the education she's getting in the language here is better.

Although Gaia has only been in the U.S. a couple of months, her English "has improved a lot. I can understand everything," she said. Although she can't always say things exactly as she intends to, she is able to talk her way around a subject to effectively communicate.

While in the States, Gaia is staying with a host family. "They treat me as another child," she told The Evangelist.

Different here
All three of the ND-BG students said they miss one thing about their home countries: the food.

Daniella's aunt makes traditional Nigerian food most nights, as does Tae Min's -- but he noted that "I was having rice mostly every day in Korea. I cannot live with the breads every day" here.

Gaia recently went to Little Italy in New York City, where she said the food was authentic. "They made me feel welcome," she said, recalling a waiter with whom she was able to speak Italian.

But as for other American "Italian" restaurants, "I've been in some, and that isn't real," she said.

Tae Min said he also misses the social life he had in Korea. "There's a lot of good [public] transportation. I could go anywhere with my friends, anytime," he said. "Here, we go to sports or movies."

For Daniella, one thing she doesn't think she'll be able to get used to is the ever-decreasing temperature as winter approaches. Nigeria has a tropical climate, with a rainy season and a dry season.

"When it was warm here, it felt normal," she remarked.

"In Italy, it's a little bit warmer," Gaia agreed. "In Italy, there's snow once every five years. When it snows in Rome, it's a big deal."

The teens all said they're enjoying the cultural differences between America and their home countries. Gaia noted that "almost everyone [in Italy] has their own housekeeper. Here, I have to do that work," but she likes learning responsibility and accountability.

What they like
Tae Min has also enjoyed learning how to help around the house. "Most American people fix their stuff themselves," he said. "In Korea, if we have a problem, we call a professional to come to fix it. Tae Min has already helped his uncle install a new floor in his house.

There are other cultural differences, too. In the U.S., said Daniella, "when you're walking down the street and you see someone, someone smiles. That's a new thing. [In Nigeria,] you're suspicious of everyone."

Tae Min has grown to like American sports. He said he's "joined every sports club," from indoor/outdoor track to cross country and soccer. Making friends through sports helped him learn the language more quickly, too.

The senior noted that "studies are much easier here. In Korea, there are a lot of competitions between the students. I wasn't good at math in Korea, but I'm good here."

Tae Min plans on continuing to live in the U.S. when he's older. Gaia will study international business at a college in Rome.

Daniella wants to return to Nigeria when she is done with school. "My grandpa said I have to go back," she said with a smile.[[In-content Ad]]

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