B-CC Welcomes Danish Students

From September 23 to September 26, the hallways at B-CC were filled with new faces as Danish students joined the school. Marking the tenth anniversary of this tradition, the Danish shadowed B-CC students, accompanying them throughout the day. From becoming familiar with American customs to exchanging culturally valuable perspectives, both Danish and B-CC students were given a chance to look at the world through a more globalized lens.

The first visit of the Danish students began when former B-CC principal Ms. Lockard received an email from the Silkeborg Gymnasium school in Denmark saying that they were taking a trip to the U.S. and needed an American high school to visit. Thus, B-CC came into play — specifically, music teacher Mr. White. “So the principal at the time forwarded [the email] to me because she knew I do the music trips every year, so she knew that I’d be familiar [with] working with a group of students that are visiting,” he shared. Ever since — save for 2021, due to COVID restrictions — Silkeborg students have been coming to Washington D.C. and New York City for ten days.

During their visit, the Danish students experienced a typical American school day, paired with B-CC students who guided them through classes, lunch, and even after-school activities. Senior Alexei Zimmer was among the many volunteers who were shadowed by a Danish student. “​​I did this last year too and knew I wanted to do it again because it was so fun!” she said. She shared that while there were significant cultural differences — such as the Danish students’ distinct clothing styles and their education system — they also found common ground in sports and social interactions. “They were excited to try Five Guys for lunch and said that’s what they think of as typical American food since it was heavy,” Zimmer added.

Junior Seena Hailu Robi, another student who participated in the exchange, shared her experiences connecting with the Danish visitors: “It’s awesome that there are opportunities at B-CC to show around exchange students,” she said. As someone from Finland, Hailu Robi felt a kinship with the Danish students, as she found similarities in certain holiday celebrations and cultural traditions. 

However, for both, the highlight of the week was the lasting friendships formed. “I formed great connections with my Danish shadows, and we’ve stayed in touch,” Hailu Robi expressed. This personal connection serves as a testament to the benefits that come with cultural exchange — transforming a simple school visit into meaningful relationships that span countries.

The tradition of welcoming international students continues to play an essential role in building connections that transcend borders, which is why there are many more exchange opportunities to come at B-CC. An Italian exchange program is happening with the Liceo Copernico school in Brescia, Italy. There is still no confirmation about an exchange program with the Danish, but Mr. White says, “Denmark definitely does want us to start an exchange.”