Australian students Dylan O’Connor and Tom Pizzie stayed with Matt Heisler ‘16 and Harrison McCurdy ‘16, attended classes at Malvern, and learned about America as a part of Malvern’s growing exchange program.

According to Global Exchange Director Ms. Theresa Lohse, the exchange students hailed from St. Augustine’s College located in Sydney, Australia. Although it is called a college, it is the equivalent of a high school in the United States.

Heisler and McCurdy traveled to Australia in the summer before school started.  The Australian students stayed in America for about four weeks in September and October.

Dylan O’Connor noted some key differences between Malvern and St. Augustine’s College.  He said, “The school revolves around academics, as well as sporting commitments, but compared to St. Augustines it seems that two-thirds of the students actually want to be here.”

He also went on to say that he agreed with other students who came here in the past that the atmosphere at St. Augustine’s College is much more laid-back compared to the environment at Malvern.

Heisler recalled arriving in Australia. “At first it was kind of weird because I went there first so when I got into the airport, it was like, ‘I’m going to be living with you for a month.’”

“It was weird at first, but then you got comfortable pretty quick. They were a really great family,” said Heisler.

According to Lohse, the foreign exchange program was started by Mrs. Aleida Rosle, a former guidance counselor and Spanish teacher at Malvern, five years ago.

Lohse said she has been involved with the program for two years, but became the Director of the program this year.

She said that the program has plans to expand to include another school in Spain and new exchanges in France and China.