She wakes up early in the morning. Her parents and brother drive her to the airport. She hugs them with tearful goodbyes, knowing she won’t see them for a year, and steps toward the waiting nine-hour plane flight. She lands in Kansas City late Saturday night. She spots the familiar face she had been searching for and leaps into the waiting arms. The butterflies that had plagued her on the plane evaporate the instant she sees her aunt and two young cousins.
With only one day to acquaint herself to her new year-long home before starting a new school, she takes a deep breath and steps toward the luggage carousel.
This was the arrival of Maria Vidal, sophomore and Alicante, Spain native.
“It was a change of country, continent and school,” Vidal said. “All in less than 48 hours.”
Vidal says it was definitely a culture shock, to say the least. She has been visiting every summer since she was eight years old, but this is the longest stay she has had planned. She also thinks her close relationship with her family has helped make her transition easier. And, according to Vidal, her aunt Begonya Klumb seems excited about the situation.
“I’m Maria’s Godmother and we are very close. Maria used to spend the month of July here in Kansas City since she was eight years old, so those experiences made us grow closer despite living in different continents during the rest of the year,” Klumb said. “Having her spend one year with me and my family means a lot to me as she’ll be able to develop a much closer relationship with all of her U.S. family, especially to her cousins. I also believe that during this year in the U.S. she’ll build wonderful friendships that will last for a lifetime and will strengthen her ties to the U.S. even more.”
According to Vidal, she came with the idea of getting the typical high school experience in the United States. Her aunt never even gave her a choice about coming to Sion, Vidal said.
“I was looking for a Catholic, all-girls school that had strong academic standards. I was looking for an all-girl school because I believe girls come out from this education as very confident, stronger individuals,” Klumb said. “Sion has a great reputation in the community and the high school was recommended by several friends. During my visit to the school, I thoroughly enjoyed the people, the dynamic environment and the friendly atmosphere. Maria’s experience so far has validated my decision as she loves going to school.”
Fellow sophomore Sydney Daniels says Vidal has become comfortable at Sion very quickly.
“At first, I could tell it was awkward for her,” Daniels said. “The only thing people wanted to ask about was Spain. Now we don’t even talk about Spain. She’s just a typical Sion girl.”
But not everything about this transition has been easy. Vidal said she used to walk everywhere in Spain, but nothing is close enough for that here. She also said that she feels like she only eats fattening food, whereas, in Spain, she had to go out of her way to find and eat unhealthy foods.
Despite all the new culture changes, Klumb said Vidal has adjusted to the U.S. incredibly well and quickly.
“Only a few weeks after her arrival, she was already acclimated to life in the U.S.,” Klumb said. “Maria has a very easygoing personality and is very independent, so that makes it a pleasure to have her around.”
Klumb also said the whole experience has been so exciting and she feels lucky to still have so much time with Vidal before she goes back to Spain.
“I was very excited when we finally found out that the school arrangements at Notre Dame de Sion would work out and Maria could spend her sophomore year in Kansas City with us,” Klumb said. “Immediately, we started to make all sorts of plans to do during this year so that she could fully experience life, traditions, culture and history in the U.S. For example, we have planned a lot of travelling this year so that we can expose Maria to different states in the U.S.”
Vidal said she looks forward to coming to school everyday and learning something new. She is constantly learning new things about her classmates. And the girls said her love for learning shows.
Vidal said she is fluent in four languages: English, Spanish, German and Italian. She is currently learning French. Vidal said that tests in Spain were harder, but that she receives a lot more homework here in the U.S., which she definitely prefers.
Although it isn’t an easy transition, Daniels said, Vidal is flourishing.
“She loves everything American,” Daniels said. “She loves Sion and shines everyday as she walks through the halls. Maria wouldn’t change anything about her new life here.”
In June, Vidal will arrive at KCI airport and once again say goodbye to her family. The people who have become her immediate family after living with them for nearly a year. But, for now, she is content to walk through halls and embrace her cousins’ American culture.