It’s a small world according to the famous Disney song, and this is most evident within the student body. The school is made up of a unique group of international students from regions around the globe, including Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Northern Europe.

“There are international students at West from places like Norway, Sweden and Germany,” junior Celina Tandrup said.

Tandrup moved to Plano from her home country, Denmark, at the start of the school year. She was connected to the school through Explorius, a cultural exchange program based in Europe that offers high school students an opportunity to study in the America.

“I’m living with a host family,” Tandrup said. “They have two sons and we share a lot of the same interests.”

However, many international students arrive for reasons other than the opportunity to study abroad. Senior Forohar Fallahifiroozi and her family relocated to Texas from Iran, a country facing political instability and turmoil.

“My family moved to Plano because there are a lot of problems in Iran,” Fallahifiroozi said. “Because of my religion, I couldn’t go to the university.”

Various international countries have differing education systems. Public schools in one country follow the same national curriculum, but there is limited overlap with other countries around the world.

“School life in Iran was very different,” Fallahifiroozi said. “Boys and girls were segregated and were taught different things in lessons.”

Tandrup also experienced academic changes, but enjoys the freedom students in Plano are given with their school schedules.

“In Denmark, you don’t have the same subjects every day and classes are two hours long,” Tandrup said. “Here, you get to choose your own classes and that makes students want to attend school and study hard.”

The school community has helped new students make the move to West as smooth as possible.

“Everyone here was really nice and helpful, so the transition was easy,” Tandrup said.

Senior Tianchu Hang moved from China approximately six months ago and appreciates the help from the English as a Second Language (ESL) department, led by Barbara Nelson.

“ESL helped me adjust to this school by helping me learn English,” Hang said. “ Ms. Nelson is there for you.”

Junior Alireza Nakhostin, like Fallahifiroozi, moved from Iran to Plano with his mother. He  was quickly introduced to other international students through ESL.

“I found some friends here that also speak Farsi,” Nakhostin said. “They are also from Iran, so I’m familiar with their culture.”

One club that embodies diversity through its members is the International Club, which gives students the chance to interact with others from a variety of different cultures.

“The International Club meets in the ESL classroom usually once a month,” Hang said. “Everyone brings food from their home country.”

As West grows in size, there are sure to be more international students joining the ranks in the near future.

“Students at West can help international students adjust by practicing speaking English and understanding their cultural differences,” Fallahifiroozi said. “We’re all just looking for a good life here.”

Although these students are displaced from their native countries, they are eager to create lasting friendships that will help make Plano their new home. They are welcoming this new experience and are hopeful that other students will be equally open to cultivating new friendships.

“Just smile, be yourself, go around and say hi,” Tandrup said.