Simon Wildberger is experiencing a culture shock as he attends Medicine Lodge High School as a senior this year. Simon, foreign exchange student from Switzerland, will be staying with his host parent, John Nixon.

Simon experienced a hectic schedule once he got on the plane for his travels. Arriving in the United States for the first time on August 13, other AFS students from Austria, China, Spain, Germany and Sweden traveled with him to Houston, Texas. John picked him up at the Wichita airport on August 14 and school started for him on August 15.

"I had a welcome party that was also John’s 50th birthday," Simon commented.

Simon visited with Nick Gaertner, Nixon’s foreign exchange student last year, before joining AFS. He enjoyed hearing about Nick’s experience, which helped with Simon’s decision.

Back in Switzerland, he is employed as a sales assistant with a large factory.

"My company that I work with, Rieter AG, a large company that makes textile machines, told me that I could make more money by being an exchange student," Simon said.

"I was never once nervous," Simon said. "The people here are nice and helpful."

Simon, son of Urs and Madeleine Wildberger of Winterthur, Kanton Zurich, Switzerland, has an older brother, Micha.

"I live in the sixth largest city in Switzerland where I ride my bike to school ten minutes at a fast speed," Simon said.

Some of his hobbies are soccer, swimming, and different sports. He also enjoys all kinds of music, especially pop and rock. He is currently participating in MLHS Cross Country, under the coaching of Bob Christensen.

"We don’t have cross country where I come from," Simon stated. "Cross country is fun. I plan on playing basketball, which we only have a couple of organizations at home."

While he is here, he will be experiencing many new foods that he is finding delectable. His favorite foods are spaghetti, hamburgers and pizza. He absolutely detests liver.

Simon explained that the school here is different, as he goes to school at either 7 or 8 a.m., and doesn’t have lunchtime. They return home at either 5 or 6 p.m. The students do get an hour and a half break, though, which allows them to go home for lunch. He also said that they don’t have as many sports, they have more homework and more lessons.

"I will be telling people about this, and will tell them they need to join AFS," Simon said.

For the next year, Simon will be having fun while broadening his horizons and calling Kansas his home.