Whiz Kid: Phoebe Ziegler

Phoebe Ziegler was away from her family and friends and Bethel High for nearly an entire year and she shares her insight and important lessons learned while away.  

Ziegler, a 16-year-old just completed her sophomore year as an exchange student in Cantabria, Spain with AFS Program.

She said she was able to really connect with her host family and make friends in the small town of Pomaluengo. Ziegler said the last few months were the highlight of her trip because her family, the Ziegler-Yost family of Bethel, came to visit and she was able to demonstrate to herself, both of her families, friends and her teachers the language, customs, and culture that she had learned that year.

By June, she had passed all of her classes (including physics, chemistry, biology and trigonometry.) that were entirely spoken and written in Spanish. Overall, she learned a lot about the Spanish culture, but came away with learning a lot more about herself as an independent person. Ziegler said she is willing to explore and try new things and foods.

She can now read and understand television shows and movies in Spanish and has a budding new interest in soccer.

"This experience has changed me as a person and I now have a better idea of the direction for college and career choices," she said. "I will always be a Cantabra (from Cantabria). " 

From feeling homesick in the beginning to feeling a part of a new place and family, Phoebe has meshed with the people of Cantabria and feels a new sense of purpose.