Exchange Students Enrich Life at Mount Mercy Academy

Prior to winter break, Mount Mercy Academy had to say goodbye to two of our amazing exchange students. Freshman Ana Paulina returned home to Guatemala, and Junior Maris Haneberg headed back to Germany. Our students and staff were so sad to see them go—but incredibly grateful for the time we shared.

Mercy is proud to offer meaningful global cultural learning opportunities that enrich our entire community. Through friendships, shared experiences, and daily learning, our exchange students help make Mercy truly global.

Read our full blog below and watch our entire Life Discovery Interview to hear directly from our exchange students and learn how these experiences impact our school community. 

A huge thank you to the Buffalo-Dortmund Exchange Program and Jump the World Exchange Program—we are so grateful to partner with these amazing organizations!

Mercy Is a Global Community

Mount Mercy Academy is proud to be a school where global perspectives are welcomed, celebrated, and woven into everyday learning. Each year, our community grows richer through the presence of exchange students who bring new traditions, new languages, and new ways of seeing the world. Their courage and curiosity inspire our students—and remind all of us that learning extends far beyond classroom walls.

This fall, our students and staff conducted a Life Discovery Interview with our three exchange students: Senior Maggie Li of China, who has been at Mercy since freshman year; Junior Maris Haneberg of Germany, who has been with us since the summer; and Freshman Paulina Menendez of Guatemala, who joined the Mercy community in early fall. Maris and Paulina will return home before Christmas, and we feel grateful for the joy, warmth, and global perspectives they brought to our campus.

School Life Around the World

Each student described how school at home compares to school at Mercy—revealing fascinating differences.

Maggie, reflecting on her middle school in China, shared:

“We had to be in school at 6:45 a.m. and sometimes didn’t finish until 10 p.m. We basically lived at school all day.”

Maris, who attends a Catholic school in Germany, noted:

“We go from fifth grade until we graduate—13 years. We usually finish midday on Fridays.”

Paulina, from Guatemala, said:

“My school went from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Mercy is much bigger, but the level of learning is very good.”

First Impressions of the United States

Their first moments in the U.S. were filled with excitement—and a few surprises.

Maggie:

“My first impression was the smell—everything smelled like a perfume. I call it the ‘American smell!’”

Maris:

“Everything was so big. New York’s buildings, even the houses in the suburbs… everything felt huge.”

Paulina:

“I was so excited. There are so many places to go, to shop, to see. Everything felt so big and new.”

Learning Through Cultural Differences

Cultural differences quickly became meaningful learning opportunities.

Maris noticed how friendly people are in public places:

“People ask, ‘How was your day?’ in the supermarket. At home, they’re happy when you leave!”

Maggie appreciated the diversity she witnessed in the U.S.:

“In China everyone looks the same. Here, I see so many cultures and different kinds of people. It surprised me—in a good way.”

Paulina felt deeply welcomed at Mercy:

“Everyone here is so kind. People always ask how you are and help each other. I love that.”

The Journey of Learning English

Adjusting to a new language brought challenges—but also major growth.

Maggie reflected on her early days:

“I didn’t understand anything and used my phone to translate every sentence. After half a year, I realized—I understood!”

Maris admitted she sometimes slips into German when excited, and Paulina noted that speed is the biggest challenge:

“People talk so fast! I say, ‘Can you repeat? Talk slower!’”

Life With Host Families

Leaving home to live with a new family in another country is an act of bravery.

Maggie felt reassured because her host family had hosted her brother years earlier:

“They’re patient and kind. Their pets helped me feel comfortable right away.”

Maris appreciated the support she received from her organization:

“They make sure families are good matches, and you can change if needed. That made me feel safe.”

Paulina expressed deep gratitude for her host family:

“They are so sweet. They do new things with me and help me feel at home.”

Embracing Teen Life—American Style

From sleepovers to late-night drive-thrus, the girls quickly embraced American teenage traditions.

Maris:

“Driving with friends and going through a drive-thru at night—that’s something we don’t do at home.”

Maggie:

“We don’t have sleepovers in China, so staying up all night with friends was really fun.”

Food Favorites (and Surprises!)

Food brought plenty of laughs during the interview.

Maggie noticed flavor differences:

“There’s so much cherry flavor here—especially Coke. And cinnamon! In China we use cinnamon in salty food, not sweet.”

Maris misses her grandmother’s homemade pierogi, and Paulina enjoys American food but sometimes misses the flavors of home.

Advice for Future Exchange Students

When asked what they would say to future Mercy exchange students, their answers were heartfelt.

Maggie:

“Don’t worry about anything—just come. I came without knowing English, and people here helped me so much.”

Paulina:

“If you have the opportunity, take it. Learning a new language and a new culture opens doors for your future.”

Maris:

“Don’t overpack! You can always shop here.”

Thank You, Maggie, Maris, and Paulina

Mount Mercy Academy is deeply grateful to these three courageous young women. Their curiosity, kindness, and cultural insights have enriched our school in ways that will last long after they return home.

Thank you, Maggie, Maris, and Paulina, for choosing Mercy—and for teaching us so much. You will always be part of the Mercy family.

Please scroll down to watch the entire interview!