Lewis Palmer is one of the three high schools in the U.S. chosen to participate in the program called USPol. This is the second year for LP, but the program was created in 2008 by Senator Richard Lugar ‘s initiative of for the 90^th anniversary of Polish American  cooperation. The program’s goals are to increase leadership skills of participants and strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

Fifteen high school students from three different states go to Poland for four weeks to live with host families during the summer, and fifteen Poland exchange students visit the U.S. in February. Right now, LPHS hosts five Polish girls who attend classes with their host siblings, participate in school life, and explore Colorado.

In these few weeks the girls are trying to see as much of America as they can. They admit that their first impression was great. They are very happy to be here and enjoy all the opportunities they have.

The school is very different in Poland, admitted the girls. They don’t get to choose their classes at school; they only have sixteen mandatory ones. The students enjoy having classes with different people here. “That way you can make more friends,” junior Alicja Dziatkiewicz said.

They were also surprised that students here say The Pledge of Allegiance before classes. They found that printed materials in class is a great idea, but the best thing about U.S. school, in their opinion, is that teachers really care about their students’ grades, success, and failures. However, there are things they find better in their school at home, for example, the amount of material given. “In Poland the subjects are learned more deeply than here,” junior Agata Misiaszek said.

Even though they are enjoying their time in the U.S., girls already know what they will bring from here to their school. “We like the school spirit here,” Dziatkiewicz said. “And that students participate in sports through school. We don’t have anything like this.”

The most surprising experience for the Polish students so far was the pharmacy drive thru. They all agreed that their favorite American restaurant so far is Chick-fil-A. But, they were very surprised when the district canceled the school because of the bad weather conditions. “Once we had -27 C (which is to equal -16 F) outside, but we still went to school,” junior Ewa Witkowska said.

The Polish girls noticed a lot of other funny details about America that would surprise any European. For example, they all agreed that it was weird to see people wearing flip flops in snow and not wearing warm jackets. The school stereotypes about American high schools usually seen in movies, the girls find true, especially the cheerleaders and school sports games. It also amazes them that everything is much bigger here, and people are much more talkative.

Right now, the girls try to see as much as they can in Colorado. They already visited Denver, Garden of the Gods, Cave of the Wind, and some of them have been to Breckenridge. But besides that, they are required to do community service and explore the American system of government by attending different events. They say that participation in this program will help them not only in applying to college in their home country and later, find a job, but also learn new interesting things.