This year the exchange program welcomed 12 students from the Paradiś International College in Iaşi, Romania who arrived at Hackley for an eight-day program combining business, economics, and cultural experiences.
This exchange was unlike any other Hackley program: instead of following a typical Hackley student schedule, the Romanian students studied business and economics exclusively. Meredith Maddox, the Round Square Representative and Exchange Coordinator, said that the school took pride in this unique setup.
“I am super thrilled that this was a much wider collaboration than what we usually do, where we send students into classrooms,” she said.
The Romanian students met with guest speakers, including Hackley alumni and parents, who shared their expertise in the world of business and economics.
However, their experiences did not end inside the classroom. The students visited Manhattan to explore New York’s role in the global financial sector. They visited the Nasdaq stock exchange, SpotCo, and the Goldman Sachs Investment Firm. After visiting SpotCo, a theatrical advertising agency that designed art for the Great Gatsby musical, the students went to see The Great Gatsby live on Broadway.
The exchange students also got to experience typical American home life by living with Hackley families. Both sides benefited from the cultural exchange. One student, Anais, said she especially enjoyed visiting a stable with her host family and riding horses. Another student, Ralu, showed her host family some Romanian traditions.
“My favorite activity was practicing traditional Romanian dances and traditional American dances with my host family,” she said.
One way Ms. Maddox found to address cultural differences and improve communication was by setting up a group chat betweenn the Romanian students, their parents, and the host parents. If the Romanian parents did not understand something that was said in English, the Romanian students would help translate.
Overall, the trip went very smoothly, even though there were a few hiccups. An example of the small challenges brought up by cultural differences was that the exchange students were not used to the sales tax here.
“It was very confusing and sometimes I think a little bit frustrating for them,” said Ms. Maddox.
The exchange students were elated by Hackley’s warm welcome and beautiful campus. One of Hackley’s mottos is: Enter Here To Be and Find A Friend. Anais expressed how welcome the students made her feel.
“One time I was standing in the Johnson Center waiting for my other classmates, and one girl came up to me and started talking to me. I felt welcomed, like they wanted me there.,” she said.
