For a long time, RCHS has welcomed exchange students from around the world to come and go to school here for a year.  These students get the opportunity to spend a year in Rockbridge County and experience American culture.    

 Junior Leva Grundmane is from Latvia, a country in Northern Europe.

“There are lots of differences between schools in Latvia and Rockbridge.  In Latvia, I had different classes everyday of the week,” said Grundmane.

“American people are also more friendly than Latvians.  In Latvia, only people that you are close to greet each other, but in America even strangers say hi to each other,” said Grundmane.

 Junior Jorge Martinez is an exchange student from Madrid, Spain.  

“RCHS is a lot bigger than my school in Spain was.  There are more liberties and class options for students to choose from,” said Martinez. 

 Martinez also mentioned the different sports that RCHS offers compared to those played in Spain.  

“In Spain, we just play football (soccer) and a little basketball, but in the US, there are many activities and sports.  When I got here, I hadn’t heard of American football or lacrosse,” said Martinez. 

Jorge is staying with Lylburn Downing Middle School 8th grader Jonothan Roy.  “It’s nice to have him around because it’s like having a brother for a year, and we still get to keep in touch after he leaves,” said Roy.  “The main challenge is really just when he has a little trouble understanding some English, but he has definitely gotten better since he got here,” said Roy. 

This is the fourth time that Roy has hosted an exchange student at his house.  “We plan on continuing to host exchange students,” said Roy.  “Each one has brought us a great experience and left with memories that they will keep forever,” said Roy.