She may technically be a junior, but Anja Krupchenko is an elite student.
Nearly two years ago, she began the application process through Future Leaders Exchange (FLEx), which allowed her to study this last year at Russellville High School.
Hers was among more than 15,000 applications from students in former Soviet Union countries. After four rounds of tests and interviews, Krupchenko was one of the chosen 220.
"It was incredible," she said. "I had been waiting so long, and it was such a small possibility."
FLEx has covered her flight, monthly expenses and school supplies. In return, through 4-H, Krupchenko has shared presentations about her country - Russia - at programs, schools and local club meetings.
"It's pretty awesome to share about your country's peculiarities, what you know as a native person," she said.
And now she knows a lot about the United States, which she is eager to take back with her next month.
Although Russian schools teach English beginning in second grade, the phrases and vocabulary used in America are quite different, she said. Celebrations like Thanksgiving and Christmas were good memories. And she has found foods, like peanut butter and a variety of candy flavors, that she will miss.
It's a mixed feeling to be leaving in a couple of weeks, she said. Although she looks forward to going home, she said she will be sad to leave her new friends and host family - the Michitschs.
The Michitsch family had hosted three students previously from Spain, Hong Kong and Germany.
Krupchenko spent the first half of her time in the United States with the Jungmeyer family. It is common for international students to have more than one host family in a year, she said.
When Krupchenko arrived at the Michitsch home, she found pictures and notes from their previous international students, which made her feel welcome right away.
A good host family is essential for a good experience abroad, Krupchenko said. When a student leaves the familiarity of their way of life and the people he has known, the right host family can make him feel comfortable, she said.
Hannah Michitsch, who graduated Saturday from Russellville, said all of the international students who have stayed with her family have felt like siblings. One has come back to visit, and another will host her sister Izzy.
Krupchenko hopes one day the Michitschs will visit her in Russia so she can share her culture with them firsthand.
Coming from an urban area in Russia, rural Russellville was quite a change, she said. But she enjoys the peacefulness and beauty of the open spaces, and farm life has been fun to interact with the animals.
"I would never think I would enjoy this kind of life," Krupchenko said.
One of the most important pieces to international exchange programs like this is understanding.
"It's very important now with lots of problems and issues among different countries and people," Krupchenko said. "You see you're (all) just human being(s). It's an opportunity to see the world from a different side."
For Hanlu Lyu, she will have three more years at Calvary Lutheran High School to understand American culture. Lyu is an international student, meaning she is not part of an exchange program. She came from China to Calvary through mutual acquaintances.
Lyu has stayed with Dr. Delores Beck in Honey Creek since arriving in summer 2014. Lutheran high schools have been developing more of an international reach, some building dormitories, said Administrator John Engelbrecht.
"It's great to see some diversity; it's an opportunity for our students to see people from other parts of the world," he said.
Lyu is the 12th international student at Calvary in its first 10 years. And a Calvary student recently returned from studying in Russia.
In her freshman year, Lyu has learned new subjects like American government, Old Testament and agricultural science. She has also found math to be easier.
Coming from an urban environment, Lyu said she enjoys the smaller population with friendly people, fresh air and large, open spaces.
She has discovered an enjoyment for singing, joining the school choir, and has enjoyed working on her art in the significantly more free time she has here than in her hometown.
"In China we have many classes and homework; I'm very busy and tired," Lyu said. In the United States, "I have more time to do something I want to do."
Hosting exchange students
Several options are available for local families who may be interested in hosting a student from another country for the next school year.
Rotary Youth Exchange is looking for host families for students, who have qualified to study in the United States, for the upcoming school year. Call 881-3825 for more information.
The Missouri Gateway AFS Area Team is working to place students from other countries with families in Mid-Missouri. Call 219-9254 for more information.
Calvary Lutheran High School has a waiting list of international students interested in studying there, if host families can be found. Email to [email protected] for more information.