Since coming to LT at the start of the school year, foreign exchange student Hongyu (Ella) Zhou has made friends, participated in multiple clubs, and experienced the cultural differences between the United States and her home country, China. 

“I truly think this place is wonderful,” Zhou said. “I love everything about the LT campus [especially] the classrooms, gymnasium, and library here, and I favor the classes, teachers, and classmates and friends here. They are all very kind and nice. I truly feel accepted and respected, which makes me happy every day.”

In China, Zhou is accustomed to a different routine: school is held from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is followed by an evening self-study lasting until 9:30 or 10 p.m., Zhou said. Occasionally, she would stay up until midnight, completing additional homework.

“What I like most is the relaxed and pleasant learning atmosphere at LT,” Zhou said. “The teachers here are not strict; instead, they are very gentle. Getting along with teachers is like being with friends, and the classes are also very interesting. There is almost no great pressure at school. Every time I go to school, it feels like I’m spending a relaxing holiday.”

The additional free time has allowed Zhou to become involved in a variety of extracurricular activities, such as Congressional Debate, Business Professionals of America (BPA), Model United Nations, Peer Support Club, and Asian Culture Club.

“I have more time to develop my interests,” Zhou said. “I like all these clubs very much. They not only bring me a lot of fun but also help me meet more like-minded friends, enriching my exchange life.”

Model UN member Alex Crossan ‘26 met Zhou at the first meeting of the year.

“[Zhou] came up and introduced herself to me,” Crossan said. “From then on, she’s always been a friendly face to see at school, and she always seems excited to experience new things, especially through Model UN. I wish students at LT had more opportunities to spend time abroad.” 

Though Zhou has had many positive experiences as an exchange student, she has also faced some challenges along the way, she said.

“I often can’t understand what the teachers say in class,” Zhou said. “Even though I learned most of the knowledge in China, the language barrier still makes it hard for me to follow, so I basically study by myself in class and then review and learn independently at home. However, the teachers are all willing to help me, which has made things much easier for me. It’s also not easy to integrate into the core peer circles and find close friends. But I’m very lucky I met good friends [who] have given me a lot of warmth, and I am very happy when I am with them.”

Zhou came to LT through AFS Intercultural Programs, an international organization that connects students with learning opportunities abroad. She was matched with a host family that lives in Chicago. The older brother of her host family attends LT, so Zhou also enrolled at LT. Class of 2027 counselor Jaime Travis has helped Zhou with her transition to LT.

“I do believe experiences like this are a wonderful opportunity to learn languages and experience different cultures and new ways of learning,” Travis said. “My goal is for all students to be in classes that interest them and accommodate any additional language support they need as a foreign exchange student. Students and I check in often to discuss their courses and how things are going so far.” 

Primarily, Travis has helped Zhou get textbooks, navigate LT, and find appropriate course placements. 

“We met before school started to pick out classes and ensure [Zhou] feels comfortable with the transition to LT,” Travis said. “There is [no] easy way to figure out the correct placement for students since we do not know exactly what they were taking in their home country.”