Three exchange students—Adam Ajroudi from Tunisia, Gulnazik “Gigi” Bakhramova from Kyrgyzstan, and Aibiike Abdysamatova from Kyrgyzstan—are studying at Woodside this school year in hopes of attaining more educational and professional opportunities. The students all arrived in the United States in August and plan to stay until May or June. Scholarships from competitive programs are funding...

Aibiike Abdysamatova is a current junior at Woodside from Kyrgyzstan. She obtained a scholarship from Greenheart Exchange. “I was trying to get a scholarship for three years,” said Aibiike. “The program required us to take… a test for English level. Then, we had to write three essays in 45 minutes, and then [complete] an interview, documents, an essay, and one part about leadership and what...

Adam Ajroudi is a current senior at Woodside from Tunisia. He received his scholarships from American Field Service (AFS). “This is my first time being outside of Tunisia, [and] I’m so grateful to be here,” Adam said. “California is such a cultural mixture of all races and ethnicities, and I adore the diversity here.” Adam explained the educational system in Tunisia, comparing it to...

Gulnazik “Gigi” Bakhramova is a current senior at Woodside from Kyrgyzstan. She received her scholarships from American Field Service (AFS). “As time went on and I became more mature, I thought about global problems a lot more,” Gigi explained. “I was thinking about the ways I could contribute to my community, and I decided that I should get more experience. Sitting at home and living...