EXCHANGE STUDENTS FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE TO SPEND SCHOOL YEAR IN MURRAY COUNTY
For six international exchange students, the 2026-27 school year is providing an opportunity to experience Southwest Minnesota and American culture, make new friends and step outside their comfort zones.
Melina Wallbaum joined the junior class at Fulda High School for the 2026-2027 year. She is from Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany. Her parents are Nicole and Markus Wallbaum. She has one sister, Sophie Marie Weber.
Her host family is Doug, Katie and Mara Clarke. “That was so fun when they came to the airport to meet me. They all came - even the dog,” Melina said.
“I wanted to come to grow, and become more independent. I also wanted to experience things like prom in high school, and I so enjoy sports and games, so coming to the United States for a high school experience was a good choice,” Melina said.
Melina arrived in the United States on September 3rd. She flew into Chicago and had a seven hour wait before her flight to Sioux Falls. Her impression of southwestern Minnesota is that the area is so very pretty.
She has visited the United States before and was in New York and Washington. “I loved New York! In Washington, we went to the Capitol and to the White House. That was nice, too.”
Melina chose to study English, Chemistry, Math, Choir, Advanced Life Skills, History, and Media at FHS. “I really like Advanced Life Skills and I really like baking,” she commented.
Hobbies that Melina enjoys doing are crocheting, sewing, drawing and gym. “Here, I am playing volleyball. I had never played the sport before, but it is so fun. The sport kind of takes up the whole day, between the time you have classes and then practice or games.”
She also loves spending time with her friends - in both countries!
Outside of the school days, the Clarke family has taken Melina to the mall in Sioux Falls, and to a wedding in Iowa. “Both experiences were a lot of fun. I love shopping, and I liked the travel to the wedding,” she said. “They took me to Chikfil- a, which was very good. I am looking forward to visiting a Taco Bell again. We went to one in New York and it was so good But, my host family likes to cook, and the food is always very delicious.”
“At home in Germany, I have a dog named Ruby, and a bunny name Balu. I am missing them, but here there is also a dog and some chickens, so there are a few animals.”
When asked what her opinion of the exchange student experience is so far, Melina replied, “I love it here. People are very friendly, and I’ve gotten to know so many people. It’s very good.” Eskil Svarer Olivarius - Denmark
Eskil Svarer Olivarius is a senior at MCC and is from Skanderborg, Denmark. His family includes his parents, Line and Robert Svarer Olivarius, and his sister, Kaya. His host family is Chad and Cari Larson of Hadley.
Olivarius decided to participate in an exchange year because it seemed like an exciting opportunity and a chance to experience new things. As Olivarius settled into life in Minnesota, he quickly noticed that the American school system is different from what he is accustomed to in Denmark.
“Back home the students stay put and the teachers move around,” the fifteen-year-old said. “I’ve learned how to navigate the school here.”
While at MCC, Olivarius has participated in football and plans to join the wrestling and track teams. He also hopes to make the most of his exchange year by experiencing new things and getting to know the lifestyle and culture of Southwest Minnesota.
Estelle Steiner - Belgium
Estelle Steiner is a senior at MCC and hails from Grimbergen, Belgium. She is staying with Shannon and Tim Rhodes in Slayton.
American television shows and movies initially sparked the sixteen-year-old’s interest in an exchange experience.
“As a kid, I used to watch American shows and movies, wanting to experience what those cool American kids were experiencing,” she said.
She never expected the opportunity to become a reality, but her sister, Eloise, began talking about doing an exchange year. With support from her family and encouragement from others who had participated in exchange programs, Steiner decided to sign up.
“I wanted to see if it’s actually like in the movies and I wanted to get to know the American culture and make new friends,” she said. “I’m having the time of my life already.”
Since arriving on August 25, Steiner has enjoyed spending time with her host family.
“They are just amazing and I love them,” she said. “They do a lot with us, so we never get bored. I couldn’t wish for a better host family. I miss being in my family’s company, but I’m really enjoying it here and I don’t have time to be homesick.”
At school, Steiner joined the cross country team and choir. She also hopes to participate in track this spring.
While in the United States, she hopes to attend a hockey game and a rodeo. “I’m a big hockey fan,” she said. “I would also love to see a rodeo. I’ve seen it on TV a few times, but I know it’s cooler in real life and it’s a real American thing. It’s not something you can go see in Belgium.”
Although Steiner has noticed cultural differences, her first impression of Minnesota was similar to what she expected. “The wide-open fields here in Minnesota are just beautiful,” she said. “The school is exactly like the movies. The lockers, the football field, the yellow school buses, the school spirit. It’s all amazing.”
However, one difference she has noticed is the emphasis placed on school sports and clubs. “You spend almost the entire day at school, then sports,” Steiner said. “In Belgium, you don’t have many clubs or sports in school. These are more outside of school activities.’
Despite the differences, Steiner has still found the opportunity beneficial. “It’s most definitely worth it,” she said. “You grow so much from stepping out of your comfort zone and you get to know the culture and so many new people.”
Clarisse Vigouroux - France
Clarisse Vigouroux is from a small village in western France. Her family includes her parents, Delphine and Julien, and her younger brother, Morgan.
While in Minnesota, Vigouroux is staying with Shannon and Tim Rhodes and her host sister, Steiner, in Slayton.
For Vigouroux, becoming an exchange student is part of a dream she has had since childhood.
“The main reason I decided to come on this exchange is that it is the beginning of a dream I have had since I was 12, with the ultimate goal of living here one day,” she said.
Through this experience, however, Vigouroux has learned that pursuing a dream can include difficult moments.
“Having a difficult moment does not mean that you made the wrong choice,” said Vigouroux.
The fifteen-year-old admits that she initially had a difficult time adjusting to being away from her family but has found ways to cope.
“Staying busy helps me a lot,” she said. “When my days are full, I have less time to think about how much I miss home.”
Vigouroux keeps busy with school, weekend trips and spending time with her host family. Being involved on the cross country team has also helped her meet people, stay active and become more involved in American school life.
“Everything is different here, but everything is just as I expected, or even better,” she said. “I feel incredibly lucky to be here and to be living a dream I have had for so many years.”
Anna Joosse - The Netherlands Anna Joosse is a junior at Fulda High School for the 2026-2027 year. She is from the Netherlands, and is the daughter of Ineke and Jaap Joosse. Her siblings are Lois and Thys Joosse.
She is staying with the Phil and Tori Dueer family, which includes host siblings Adelayne, Brayden, and Madyson.
Anna arrived in the United States on July 28th. “I wanted to experience what it is like to be in an American high Schooler,” Anna said. “I watched shows and saw how much fun it looked to be in high school here. I also wanted to be able to improve my English. This exchange experience is what I chose.”
“At home, I am already graduated, and would be studying in my first year of college if I hadn’t come here. My choice for college studies when I begin attending, will be psychology.”
As a large number of exchange students do, Anna flew into Chicago, where she had a four hour delay before flying into Sioux Falls.
Her first impression of the area was that it is big spac-es, with a really small feel. “Everyone says hello, and that is so nice. I live on a farm here and like having the animals around. In the Netherlands, I live on the outskirts of a big city. I find that I like the smaller, more quiet space,” Anna commented.
For her studies at Fulda, Anna chose English, Chemistry, Math, Speech, History and Media. She says that her favorite is speech.
She joined the volleyball team, as it is a hobby that she participates in at home. “This is my 9th year playing volleyball - I really like the sport,” Anna said.
Other hobbies that Anna has are spending time with friends, and reading. “There is a seven hour time difference between home and here, so I have to be aware when I call friends at home. I don’t want to wake them up,” Anna said, with a grin.
She has been to Okoboji and the Wisconsin Dells with her host family. “That was really a lot of fun. Of course, we have all kinds of windmills in the Netherlands, so seeing them here reminds me of home.”
Experiencing new foods, Anna said that there appears to be a lot of fast food restaurants. “It seems that we eat at a fast food restaurant about once per week. At home, we do that about one time per month. But, Chik-fil-a is my favorite here!”
Anna will be staying in America until late June or early July.
Kamma Rasmussen - Denmark
Kamma Rasmussen is studying as a junior at Fulda High School. She is from Jutland, Denmark, and is the daughter of Sara and Carsten Rasmussen. She has one sister, Emma, and one brother, Daniel.
Kamma’s host mother is LInda Lund. Kamma arrived in the United States on August 25th. Her flight took her into Chicago, then into Sioux Falls.
“I thought about an exchange experience and I like traveling. I have an interest in a bunch of different cultures, I decided that coming to America to study would be an exciting experience,” she said. “On the drive to my Fulda home, everything was kind of the same as home, but much bigger. It looks more industrial to me.”
In Denmark, she has already graduated high school. At Fulda, Kamma is attending classes for Modern United States History, Chemistry, English, Biology, Advanced Life Skills, and Media Class. Of those classes, she states that she probably has two favorites: Media and History.
“What I have found is that the people are always nice, and full of compliments,” she said. At school, Kamma joined the volleyball team - a sport that she thoroughly enjoys, and states that it is a social sport. She also played volleyball and soccer in Denmark.
Other hobbies for Kamma include going to town for shopping, spending time with famiy and friends, and eating out. “The fast food is very different. The food here is very diverse and I like trying new kinds of foods. I tried Chili’s restaurant and found that it was very good!”
Kamma is staying in contact with friends and family as she experiences school in southwest Minnesota, which she is very glad to be able to do.
A pet owner, Kamma laughs when talking about her cat, Anton. “He is an old, fat guy. He’s shaped like a “c”, and he drools a lot. He’s rather special, and he’s missing a part of one ear.”
Kamma states that she is truly enjoying her time at Fulda, along with all that she has experienced thus far.
