Student travels abroad

Isabel+Hebenstreit+reading+about+Argentina%2C+where+she+will+live+next+year.+I+think+the+culture+is+really+amazing.

Isabel Hebenstreit reading about Argentina, where she will live next year. “I think the culture is really amazing.”

Madison Squibb, Ranger Review Reporter

Here at Lewis-Palmer High School, students are very familiar with foreign exchange students from other countries, but it’s not everyday one of our own goes abroad.  Isabel Hebenstreit 11 is going to attend a school in Argentina second semester of this year. When Hebenstreit was in the 7th grade she went on a trip to Nicaragua with her family to do volunteer work, she loved her experience and wanted to experience that for a longer period of time.

To prepare, Hebenstreit is working with Mr. Miller, a Spanish teacher here at Lewis-Palmer, during her off period to brush up on her Spanish before she leaves. There is also a lot of paperwork and fundraising that Hebenstriet has to complete before she leaves.

“I am trying to get into the mental state of being away for three months and living a completely different life,” Hebenstriet said.

Although Hebenstreit was originally hoping to go to Spain it was  five thousand dollars more expensive. However Hebenstreit thinks that Argentina will give her an experience that is more authentic and less like living here in the United States.

Green Heart Travels, the company Hebenstriet is using for her trip only allows two half hour conversations over the phone with her friends and family back home every week. “I am really nervous about missing everyone and not being able to speak to everyone,” stated Hebenstreit. She is also really nervous about going to school and not being able to find things. “What if i’m not able to figure out where i’m going and all of the signs are in Spanish?” Hebenstreit remarked.  

Despite her fears Hebenstriet is hoping this trip will help her find what is really important in her life and maybe help her find what she wants to do with her life. Hebenstriet is excited to meet her host family and to experience life with them for three months. “I think that this will broaden my perspective on life and on the world, people and the way they live,” Hebenstreit said. She thinks that this will be a very positive trip that will help her grow as a person.

“I am really excited for my trip though because by the end of it I think that I will be fluent in spanish and have a better world perception,” Hebenstreit said.