What does Holland, China and Australia all have in common—foreign exchange students at Joliet Catholic Academy for the 2007-2008 school years. Aniek Van Vugt is from Australia, Jack Zhong from China and Louise Pappagallo from Australia. Each student adds a little different mix and diversity to the Joliet Catholic Academy family.

Pappagallo, a junior from South Australia, decided to come to America and JCA because it sounded fun to her. Her daring and humorous personality gives other students something new each day. One of the first things she will tell someone when introduced is that kangaroos are not in people’s backyards in Australia and the “slang” associated with Australians is rarely used there.

Poptarts quickly became her favorite food once settling in America. Pappagallo has a 20-year-old brother named Nick that she misses greatly along with the rest of her family back home, but she also misses the warmth. One cannot blame her for missing the 70-degree weather back home while she is stuck in below-freezing temperatures in Joliet.

Jack Zhong’s journey to America was a little different from Louise’s. The sophomore had to pass a written and oral exam to be a participant in the Youth For Understanding International Exchange Program. “This exam is very competitive,” said Zhong.

However, Zhong has been able to relax since coming to Joliet Catholic Academy. He was able to celebrate Halloween, Christmas, New Year’s and was even able to go to homecoming. “We do not have homecoming at all in China,” said Zhong. In addition to celebrating holidays popular in America, he was able to celebrate the Chinese New Year with his host family and even his pre-calculus class.

While missing his family back home in Syenyang, China, he also misses authentic Chinese food and playing some of his hobbies. “I love playing basketball and ping-pong back home,” said Zhong. “But exercise is not as popular in China as it is here, I mostly read or study.”

Among the foreign exchange students at Joliet Catholic Academy, Van Vugt is the only one who has U.S. citizenship. Her family moved to Naperville just before she was born from Holland. But soon after her birth, her family moved back to Holland. “Being born in America, I was always curious about learning more about the country,” said Van Vugt. “I wanted to have the whole high school experience and find out if it really is like the movies.”

She presently is a senior at JCA and living in Naperville again with a host family. Van Vugt wishes to see all of Chicago and receive her driver’s license. Back at home, she plays field hockey and baby-sits. She also goes to clubs and bars. “The drinking age is 16 in Holland, so I was able to drink,” said Van Vugt. But most of all, she misses her family, and at the conclusion of the school year will journey back to Holland to be with them.

As of now, Zhong wishes to stay at Joliet Catholic Academy, graduate here and attend an American university. Pappagallo will stay until second semester of her senior year at JCA.