Mia Engel: the foreign exchange experience

By Reagan Rozzi

International travel can be overwhelming to anybody, regardless of prior experience. Undergoing culture shock, comprehending a new language, learning the value of a country’s currency and even the act of flying are all processes that may be viewed as anxiety-inducing. Due to these often stressful experiences, many choose to travel in pairs or groups to avoid being alone in their confusion. While most may feel this would be too grand of a venture to complete alone, junior Mia Engel was one student who was eager to take this risk. 

Visiting OHS from just outside of Frankfurt, Germany, Engel was drawn to her school’s foreign exchange program due to her outgoing nature, five years of English lessons and her excitement for American high school football games.

“I just wanted to visit a new country…I like the high school spirit [here], we don’t have organized sports [in Germany],” Engel shared.

Owasso High School does not specifically offer a foreign exchange student program but instead welcomes international students who have applied for their country’s program. Students may list their preferred states of interest during the application process, however they are not guaranteed any location. For Engel, who initially hoped to visit either Connecticut or North Carolina, being placed in Oklahoma came as a mild shock. However, after completing her first semester and currently working through her second, Engel is more than grateful for the Owasso community. 

One of Engel’s biggest concerns about attending a foreign school was her uncertainty about the relationships she would have with other students. 

“The school was very big,” Engel laughed nervously.

Although Engel’s stay in America is temporary, living in a new country with a family she wasn’t fully acquainted with had the potential to be severely isolating, in addition to being enrolled in such a large school. Although, by joining the girls’ track team, trying out the school’s clubs and engaging with her classmates, Engel has formed admirable connections with her newfound friends. Some have even discussed staying in touch by visiting her in Germany post-graduation. 

Photo of Mia Engel (left) at a football game with friend Makalie Baruth (right) taken by Holly Walters

Engel’s favorite pastime in the fall was attending the Owasso Ram football games with her closest friends. Decking themselves out in face paint and dressing according to the respective theme, her friend group never failed to cheer their loudest for the high school’s team. 

However, as OHS has now commenced its second semester of the school year, Mia discussed the bittersweet, emotional side of the experience and how she feels about her last few months in America. 

“The holidays were kind of hard…[but] I call my friends and family once every two weeks. My mom wants to call me more often,” Engel chuckled. “It’s a weird feeling [to be going back]...it’s as if time has stopped.”

While it feels like time has halted back in Germany after Engel’s departure from Owasso in late May of this year, it will surely feel as though time will stop here, too. Engel is certain to leave a distinct and unique emotional impact on OHS students that will last long after the 2023-2024 school year. 

So, if you see Engel walking down the hallways, whether she is smiling with her friends or listening to her impeccable music taste, don’t be afraid to wave to one of Owasso High School’s funniest, most outgoing foreign exchange students.