Exeter Diversity Showcase: Eastern Europe

Phillips Exeter Academy prides itself on having one of the most diverse and culturally rich campuses in the country, with students from Tokyo, Beijing, London, Casablanca and many more. These students bring new and fresh perspectives to the daily discussions in the classroom.Yet there is only a small group of Eastern European students on the Exeter campus in terms of the student population. They, like students from other areas, bring a fresh view when analyzing literature in class or when solving a math problem. Many have also adapted to Exeter and American culture extremely well, often causing the native students to forget that they come from very different backgrounds. Nevertheless, just like other international students, Eastern European students also go through the issue of loyalty and nationalism, as well as adapting to American lifestyle.Barbi Sarkozi, a senior from Budapest, Hungary, shared her experience in America. “I feel culturally accepted; however, the two cultures are very different,” Sarkozi said. “The question of nationalism is very interesting, because, for example, wherever I go the American flag is there. [The] States have such different mentalities and characteristics, while in Hungary, it's not a usual thing to put the flag everywhere [but] I still feel that there is a strong nationalism. So it is represented in different ways in both countries.”“The transition was quite easy,” she added. “Everybody is really open minded and easy going. I’m having an amazing experience here in the U.S. and at Exeter as well, and I feel really lucky to be here.”Lower Julia Bornemann from Austria, shared similar sentiments to Sarkozi’s. “I consider myself Austrian, so that's where my “loyalty” lies, but because I've always been in an international/American environment before Exeter, I also feel American,” she said.At first, Bornemann found certain American practices odd, while Americans found her Austrian culture foreign. “The American peace sign (palm inward) is actually really rude where I come from,” she said. “Also, kissing on the cheek as a greeting, Americans don't really do that here. I got used to it pretty quickly though. Overall, moving here was all good, because I'd been exposed to the language and culture before. If I hadn't though, I imagine it would be really difficult.”Upper Arslen Berbic, who lives in Bosnia, found many cultural differences while assimilating to America. “Our culture has been greatly influenced by both sides throughout history, the Austria-Hungarian empire and the Ottoman empire. Today, when you walk the streets of my hometown, Tuzla, you get to see a Roman Catholic church, mosque, Orthodox church and a synagogue placed within 50 feet of each other. That is something that you can't see anywhere else in the world.”“We get to have the best coffee in the world,” he added. “It’s really hard to get used to what they call coffee in America.”Lower Abe Kopun, from the Czech Republic, found certain American traits very unfamiliar. “One of the major differences is that American people are very open with people who they don't know very well, or make strong bonds with people rather quickly,” he said. “Since I was not used to this at first, I was very surprised when strangers engaged in small talk in elevators with me, (not just at Exeter, but in the US in general) or when they asked me very personal questions shortly after meeting them.”“In the Czech Republic, strangers don't chat you up in elevators, and people are generally more reserved towards people they don’t know,” Kopun said. “Another difference, I think, is that Europeans are very liberal. A lot more liberal when it comes to some controversial issues in America.”He also noted the difference between the schools in Czech and the Academy with their respective learning atmospheres. “In the Czech Republic, classes are more like staring at the teacher, while at Exeter’s classes are based on discussions.”Despite the differences, Eastern European students have adapted well to the American culture, including music, food and movies, and have become an essential part of the Exeter campus. This added diversity enriches the experience of the Exonians from America, as well as provides a unique experiences for individuals from all over the world.