This feature appeared in the May 27, 2026 edition of the Star Valley Independent. 

One of the most exotic and educational experiences humans can seek is that of travel – exploring new places and peoples, enjoying new cultures and tastes. It’s a world of fascination and delight. Multiple students at Star Valley High School have indulged in just such an adventure through the 2025-26 school year by embracing the opportunity of a lifetime and choosing to enter a foreign exchange program.

Nika Francksen, Ella Kantokivi and Amalia Helkkula have spent their twelfth grade year away from school in their home countries of Germany and Finland, electing, instead, to take a year studying in the United States. Through their exchange programs, they were given the choice to be here, in a rural community, which is very different from the urban communities of their homes.

The decision to leave home for a year to study in the US was an easy one. “I saw a lot of TikTok’s and videos about being exchange students and people said that if you are even thinking, then you should do that,” said Ella. She thought, “Why not?”  Though she already spoke Finish and Swedish, she hoped to improve her English.

All three young ladies have “loved” their experiences here, from elective classes and extra-curricular school activities to food, culture, language and social opportunities. With more academically rigorous curricula at home in Germany and Finland, one of the most enjoyable aspects of the girls’ experience schooling in the U.S. has been elective classes and extra-curricular activities.

“I have tried a lot of new things” such as the spring musical and cheerleading. “I have never done those before, so they were completely new experiences,” said Amalia, who is from Finland. “I have gotten a lot of new friends and did new stuff like football games. [At home], we only have soccer, and I love football. It’s so much fun. Just the games and the school spirit is crazy. That’s definitely something I will miss a lot when I go back.”

While Nika’s German education gave her a strong exposure to English, nothing has been as effective in mastering the language as immersion through the exchange experience. Nika chose to Cheer for SVHS and enjoyed elective classes like Culinary Arts and Weight Training.

Serving as a manager for the SVHS volleyball and girls basketball teams, Ella loved the opportunity to travel with the team to away games, visiting other places in the state and strengthening her friendships with the team members.

Upon returning home after graduation from SVHS, all three girls will have two more years of school. Students in Europe complete 13 grade levels as opposed to the U.S. requirement of 12. Because their study abroad will not count toward their graduation certificates in Finland and Germany, they will need to repeat their studies in grade 12 and then complete grade 13.

Some might view the need to repeat twelfth grade as a reason not to choose an exchange experience, but all three of the girls are pleased and grateful for the time they have spent here. “The things I have gained now that I am here are more than what I have lost,” Amalia said. “The benefits are really great, and you meet new people and now, after this, I know a lot more about different cultures and just new experiences.”

While Nika misses her family in Germany, she is grateful for their support. “They are happy for me that I am living my dream. Going on exchange has always been something I wanted to do. I’m really grateful they gave me the opportunity to do this. It’s not cheap. It’s really expensive. Going on exchange and being far away from home and my family made me very independent. I was not an outgoing person, but I was forced to go up to people and talk to them. I feel like I have grown a lot.”

One very interesting difference between school in Germany and school at SVHS that Nika noticed is the relationships that students have with their teachers. “The student-teacher relationship is very different. Here, I feel like you are friends with your teachers.”

For each of the girls, new relationships have been one of the most valuable aspects of their experience. They have new friends in their teachers and classmates, and, of course, a family relationship with their host families. “I love my host family,” Nika exclaimed. “I am really grateful for everything they are doing for me.”

“I’m really grateful for all the new people that I have met and the people that have spoke to me and say, ‘Hi.’ That means a lot to me,” said Amalia. “It’s really scary to be in a new place where you don’t know anyone, so I really appreciate when people that don’t even know me say ‘Hi,’ and say, ‘I have heard about you.’ I really like that.”

Upon completion of their high school studies at home, each girl hopes to prepare for her career through a university program. Amalia plans to study medicine, Nika’s interests tend toward law enforcement, and Ella hopes to pursue nursing.

All three of these young ladies agree that their experience on exchange has been well worth the sacrifice and extra effort, for they live by the admonition of H. Jackson Brown Jr. “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So, throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”