Diego poses with his dog. Photo Creds: Diego Gottschalk.
Diego Gottschalk, who is from São Paulo, Brazil, has decided to join the Exchange Program and spend his junior year with us here at Watauga. He was inspired to come here by what he has seen in pop culture.
“I used to watch a lot of movies and series about the United States and high school, and when I saw it, it just became a thing that I would like to go to do,” Gottschalk said.
Gottschalk was surprised by how well school was represented in American movies.
“In the movies, at lunchtime, there were divisions between the football players [and others], and when I came here, it was like literally this,” said Gottschalk. “It has really been a shock.”
Even though this is his first time in an American school, he has been to the United States before.
“When I was seven years old, I came to Orlando and I went to Disneyland,” Gottschalk said. “It was really good, but I don’t really remember a lot of things.”
While here, he has enjoyed spending time with his host family and experiencing American culture.
“I am having a great time with my host family. They take me everywhere and buy me a lot of things,” said Gottschalk. “They are very nice to me. We went biking on the Virginia Creeper Trail. That was a really cool experience.”
Even though he has had a good time here, Gottschalk misses a few things about Brazil.
“My friends and my family and...just feeling comfortable in where I am,” Gottschalk said, are things he feels nostalgic for.
He hopes to join some clubs and maybe some sports teams to get involved here at Watauga.
“I am trying to join some clubs,” said Gottschalk. “I am going to start tennis lessons and Club, Ski Club, and maybe Men’s Volleyball.”
Diego Gottschalk has been inspired to come to the United States for a while now, and he is finally experiencing it with all of us at Watauga.
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