International Weekend is an event hosted by the members of the VHS International Weekend Club in which exchange students from other countries who currently are living in New Jersey come to VHS for a fun-filled weekend.

This year International Weekend was a huge success. Ten students representing countries from all over the world came to visit VHS, starting with coming to VHS and attending all the different classes of their host “sister” or “brother.”  It was a chance for them to experience what school was like for kids in Verona.

“All the students have very good and friendly relationships with their teachers. I’ve never seen that before,” said Sandra from Germany.

The school day ended with panel discussions attended by history and world languages classes during which the ten students were questions by students at our school. It was a time for VHS students to learn what life is like in other countries.  For example, Jessie from Switzerland explained how in her country there are three different levels of high school, which surprised many students.

“We have a low level, middle level and the best level. You have to be very smart to go to the best level high school. And only those kids move on to college, which is free in our country. Here, teachers want you to pass.  In my country they want you to fail,” said Jessie.

On Friday night the weekend continued with a dinner and dance party at the Community Center at which VHS senior, Nick Hennig, DJ’ed.

Saturday, the members of the club went down to Point Pleasant beach. Although it was cold outside and the students could not go swimming in the ocean, they enjoyed their time at the aquarium, playing games in the arcade and walking on the boardwalk.

“That was my first time going to beach in America! It was fun!” said Margaux from France.

On Sunday, the club members and exchange students went to a brunch hosted by the family of junior Amanda Langan. There were kids playing the video game Just Dance, and some singing along to students playing the guitar and piano.

When weekend came to an end, the exchange students returned home to their host families located all over New Jersey.

“This weekend went better than we hoped,” said senior Shannon Garner, the club’s president. “Everyone in the club really bonded with the international students and even plan to see them again before they leave.”