During the first semester of the 2014-2015 school year, two special students joined the Tunstall student body. Exchange students, Julius Gretschel from Germany and Edoardo Cordero from Italy, spent the first half of their junior year learning about life in rural Virginia, while students also learned about the difference in cultures.

While taking in the cultural differences, the two were able to pick up on American traditions very quickly, including football, the many slang southern terms, and social media trends. “[Edoardo] really liked taking selfies,” said freshman Morgan Harris.

Gretschel and Cordero were offered the opportunity to partake in the American sport, football. “They thought it was weird and funny. They thought the equipment was hilarious, but they also said they loved football and it became their favorite sport,” said sophomore Andrew Snead.

In comparison to Gretschel’s hometown of Berlin, Danville was extraordinarily different. Going from the large, urban city, to the small, rural town that he was introduced to was a bit unusual for Gretschel.  “For me the big difference was that I live in a huge city,” said Gretschel. “I don’t need a car because I just take my bike or I walk.  Here in the states, you have to drive everywhere you want to go.”

The small town of Danville impacted Gretschel in many different ways. “It made me more open for other cultures because I lived a total [cis] different life and experienced a different lifestyle, and sure it improved my English,” said Gretschel

Many students were presented the opportunity to learn bits and pieces of new cultures and languages. “[Edoardo] told me that Italian was a whole lot harder than English and he was right,” said sophomore Dalton Bagbey.

After leaving the states, Cordero returned to his home town, Turin, Italy, while Gretschel journeyed to France for six months to broaden his knowledge of the French language.  After his visit in France, Gretschel intends to return home and continue school like everyone else. “The hardest part of being an exchange student is saying good bye to all your friends maybe for forever,” said Gretschel.