Junior Adrian Castellanos is from Madrid and said he has lived there his whole life. He arrived in the United States on Aug. 20.
Adrian said he prefers his home in Spain, but likes how school is easier for him here. “Here is easier. I have to study more in Spain than here,” he added.
“First of all, I would say that school is much bigger here,” said Adrian. “My school was smaller in Spain. Also, one really good difference here that I like is sports.
“In Spain, if you want to do a sport, you have to go to a private club. It’s not from the school,” said Adrian. He played varsity basketball for Milton this year. Adrian added his favorite part of school here is how everyone is interested in sports.
“My older brother and my mom were exchange students when they were my age, and they told me it was great,” he said, adding that they were both in Michigan for their placements.
“I also wanted to have the experience and improve my English.” he said, adding that he has been learning English in class since middle school.
Adrian is in English 11 with English Teacher Mr. Wesley Cromley. “He makes good use of his time, he’s engaged in activists outside of school, and he enjoys expanding his knowledge of English,” said Mr. Cromley.
Like many Milton students, Adrian said Asian Chicken is his favorite food from the school. However, the food he misses most is Spanish pasta, he added.
Before arriving in New York with some other exchange students, Adrian said he didn’t know anyone other than Senior Martina Morelli, who he met three days earlier. She is also an exchange student but from Italy. She’s staying with his host’s extended family.
“It’s like if we were ‘cousins’ here,” he said. Adrian is staying with Krislyn and Andre Grey and host siblings Lynken and Kayden.
Adrian will return to Spain for his senior year. After high school, he said he plans to pursue medicine at a college near Madrid. He will return to Spain on June 19.
