Moving to a new country brings a wave of challenges — culture, schools, new friends, and even a new language. For some LFHS students, this isn’t a hypothetical question, but a lived experience.
Sophomore Mercedes Rodriguez de Lavalle moved from Spain during her 8th-grade year, stepping into a world that felt very unfamiliar and foreign.
“I just wasn’t used to picturing myself in another country, having to start from zero. Having to make new friends, going to a new school, meeting new teachers, and getting used to a new way of learning,” Rodriguez de Lavalle said. But the hardest part of her move was adapting to a whole new life in another country.
“The hardest part of moving from Spain to the US was having to leave my family and my friends, figuring out how to fit in, all while being so far from everyone that I loved and cared about was scary and overwhelming. It definitely pushed me to be brave and independent, ” said Rodriguez.
Mercedes quickly realized that school in the US is completely different and requires a totally different approach. She adjusted to class discussions, hands-on activities, and projects. In Spain, the main learning method is memorizing facts. At first, this was frustrating, but eventually her new study habits began to help her succeed in the classroom
But what Mercedes misses most about Spain isn’t just the academics; she misses her day-to-day life that she left behind. She misses her friends and family, along with her familiar routines. Each of the small things that remind her of the life she had motivates her to find joy in her new surroundings and connections.
LFHS senior Kate McCann moved to London in 2014; unlike Mercedes, she grew up in Lake Bluff.
“Adjusting to living in England was hard because it was so different from growing up in the US. However, after I found new activities and became adjusted to my school, it was better.” McCann said.
While she enjoyed the many opportunities she got like attending Premier League soccer games and traveling all across Europe, returning to Lake Bluff after five years was a challenge, “Coming back after 5 years was hard because I had a completely different life in England, and I was the only person in my grade leaving that year.” she said “However I was excited to move back so I could spend more time with my extended family and get used to living in lake bluff again before high school.”
Adjusting socially turned out to be one of the easier parts of Kate’s experience abroad, making friends in London turned out better than her expectations, and attending an international school was definitely an advantage because there were lots of new students constantly joining. Kate’s environment encouraged her to step out of her comfort zone and make connections with people all over the world. This is a unique experience that she definitely enjoyed.
Returning to Lake Bluff also had its fair share of challenges. Kate adjusted to a faster-paced school environment with shorter breaks and a totally different rhythm than England had. At first, it was overwhelming to change and adapt to her schedule. The transition was challenging with differences in culture, trying to navigate new social dynamics, and reconnecting with old friends. This was one of the hardest parts of her transition; she learned how to balance all of her new friends, activities, and new school schedule.
Both Kate McCann and Mercedes Rodriguez de Lavalle experiences helped shape them as people today. Their experiences will carry with them for many years to come. They were able to travel and make all kinds of friends. They enjoyed being the ‘new girl’ and finding their place at LFHS.
Looking back on her experience, Mercedes offers advice for people making a similar move, “It is okay to be scared and nervous, just try your best to meet people at school, get used to how things work in that new country, try their traditions and learn their culture,” she said.
Despite the differences in their journeys, both students shared a common lesson that change is never easy, but it has the power to build resilience and growth. By stepping out of their comfort zone, both girls discovered new perspectives and opportunities. Their journey is one of many examples that adjusting to a new place or experience is never simple, but it can be that very thing that shapes who you become.
