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MARTINA
COUNTRY
Slovakia
Current School
High School
How did you feel when you learned you’d be moving to the Hampton Roads area in the US?
I did not expect to move to the US at all but when I found out, I was very excited because I get to experience the American high school life and meet people from different backrounds.
Was the educational system in the US different from your home country’s? If so, do you prefer it or not, and why?
The educational system in the US is very different from the one in my country. I would say that the main difference is the schedule because the VBCPS system uses the 4×4 classes, which allows students to have 4 subjects a day. I think that it gives students the chance to focus better on certain classes without having to worry about many others.
Did you keep in touch with your friends and relatives from where you previously lived? If yes, what method worked best, and/or how often are you able to contact them?
I do keep in touch with my friends and family from Slovakia by texting and calling.
Are you in touch with any other NATO officer kids? Tell us a few things about that experience.
There are many students in my school that are from NATO families and I think it’s very helpful to be able to meet them because they usually have similar experiences.
What do you usually do for fun after moving here? Do you have any suggestions for activities we could try?
I would recommend new students to try to get involved in some after school activies. High schools especially, have many clubs offered. It’s also possible to try out for different HS sports teams (soccer, swimming, basketball…) which can be so much fun.
Have you been on any trips within the US or to the surrounding countries? If yes, tell us a few things about the experience and make some suggestions on what the rest of us could try.
I love traveling in the US with my family because it has lots of beautiful places. One of my favorite cities I’ve been to was New York City and Charleston in SC.
Are you involved in any extracurricular activities either in your school or in outside organizations? Tell us about your experience.
I started to play club volleyball, where I got to meet new friends. I love going to tournaments where we play against other clubs. I also plan on joining our school track team this year with my friends. Besides sports, I’ve been to an International Student club in school where we learn about different cultures.
How did the language barrier (if applicable) affect your experience? Do you have any tips for future newcomers struggling with learning English?
Personally, I did not have any problems with English, but if someone is struggling, the teachers are usually very helpful and understanding.
What are a few difficulties you faced when moving to the US that you haven’t already mentioned?
At first, it wasn’t easy for me to make friends but once you meet the right people it makes it a lot better and more fun.
What do you wish you had already known before moving to the US?
It is important to know how the school system works. There are different types of classes students can take. AP classes are year long and more challenging than regular 4×4 classes. You can also take honors classes which are also 4×4 but usually require more work.