She can always say ‘no.’

That’s what Senior Megan Chidlow thought as she approached her mom. 

This wasn’t in regards to throwing a small party, skipping school or spending the night at a friends house. 

This was about applying to be a foreign exchange student. In America nonetheless, which meant leaving her life in Switzerland. All at sixteen. 

Chidlow’s mom responded plainly and her tone was casual considering the question.  

“Okay, let’s see what program is best.” 

Chidlow’s parents have always been supportive when it came to big decisions or aspirations, and this was no different.

“My mom was just planning everything,” Chidlow said. “But Dad was way more emotional and scared for my safety.”

Chidlow has dark hair, green eyes and a slight French accent. 

She describes Switzerland as a rich country, where everyone is professional and the culture is reserved. But, specifically, in the town she grew up in, Le Locle, gossip spread like wildfire. 

“The people are very nosy,” Chidlow said. “Once one thing comes out, everybody knows. They will talk about you. It’s just a bad atmosphere. No, that’s not my thing.”

Chidlow wanted to leave Switzerland before she was consumed by her small town’s misery, and give herself the chance pursue new experiences. Taking a foreign exchange year seemed like the perfect opportunity. 

Her dad is British, so she already grew up speaking English, which Chidlow prefers to French anyway.  

The only problem was that she knew next to nothing about America.

“Fat people, guns, that’s about it,” Chidlow said. 

But this was a risk she was willing to take. So Chidlow spent time talking with her future host family over Zoom calls and packing away shoes, clothes, accessories and charging cords.

Not long after, she was spending 29 hours at the airport, checking her flight time and being greeted at the gate by her new American family.

“They were very nice,” Chidlow said. “We have similar house rules too; clean your room, no shoes indoors. They are pretty open minded. What’s changed is the difference in culture.”

Chidlow loves Raising Canes and the endless shopping malls. She’s amazed at the generosity and respect people give. And was not used to a classmate lending so much as a pencil or eraser in school. These gestures were so foreign. 

At first, she was confused by the electric shopping carts at Walmart, and how students wore pajamas to school. Or how no one said “you’re welcome” and instead just went “mhm.”

But now, she’s used to it. 

A few weeks ago, Chidlow’s host family took her to Build-A-Bear.

“I’ve never had so much fun in my life,” Chidlow said. 

She got a brown fuzzy bear named Clement, and bought little outfits including boxers, shorts, a t-shirt and jacket. He lives on her vanity.

She doesn’t think much about what family or friends are doing back home, except for Silas, her border collie shepherd, and instead thinks more about making memories with the people she’s met here.

Chidlow and her host family watch old romantic movies and comedies, she’s even introduced them to her favorite show, “The Good Place.” 

“I don’t really hang out yet ,” Chidlow said. “But I hope to.”

Lately she’s thought more about living in America, and attending college so she can become a veterinarian. 

“Maybe when I’m super old I’ll go back to Switzerland,” Chidlow said with a smile.