Mie Ishii joins South Lakes High School this year from Tokyo, Japan on an exchange trip for her junior year.

Ishii is one of several exchange students at South Lakes this year, hoping to improve their English skills, and learn a bit of the culture.  Other than a few setbacks, Ishii continues to adjust to life in America.

“It’s hard to make friends because there are already groups and no one knows I’m an exchange student from Japan,” said Ishii.

The experience is new and confusing, the school life starkly different from what Ishii is used to in Japan.  Those near her will see her thinking, carefully choosing her words when she speaks.  She speaks English clearly, and says it was not hard to learn for the most part.

“I feel it’s difficult when I’m taking English and U.S. history classes,” said Ishii.  “And I heard most exchange students have the same worries.  Teachers speak so fast.”

As for the school, Ishii is enjoying herself now that she has moved on from the first-week-confusions.

“I was surprised because school is so crowded and big and everyone was hugging and kissing.  It’s impossible in Japan.”