In the past few years, Owensboro High School students have hosted foreign exchange students from Europe. Some have stayed for the entire school year and some have only stayed for a few weeks. The Netherlands, Germany, and the Czech Republic have given us some amazing people to share with over the past few years. This year, the foreign exchange students came from the Czech Republic to stay with juniors Ann Lawton Watson and Mary Grace Hemingway for two weeks.

After being here for a few days, lots of questions were asked about their life in the Czech Republic. Both girls said their lives in the Czech Republic were not as exciting as the people who live in America.

It was clear to see that the Czechs did not want to leave Kentucky. Both girls said that the people in the Czech Republic are “very cold” “unkind” and “lack respect” to the people around them. Karin Daniele, who stayed with Ann Lawton Watson, said that her time she spent in America was “the best time of her life” because of how down to Earth the people in the beloved town of Owensboro are. The girls were fascinated by things that regular Kentuckians wouldn’t think twice about. Moonlite, squirrels, and football games were the top three things they didn’t want to leave behind.

When the Czechs left Owensboro, tears were shed, more pictures than anyone could count were taken, and hugs were given. Nela Vitovjakova said “I will definitely be returning to the U.S. I feel like it has become a second home to me in such a short amount of time.” One thing is for certain, though; they will be back and when they do return, it will be as if they never left in the first place.

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