Date: Fri 08-Dec-1995

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDREA

Quick Words:

exchange-student-Croatia

Full Text:

WITH PHOTO A Coatian Student's American Experience

B Y A NDREA Z IMMERMANN

"Since I was kid, I had this big dream about the United States - I wanted to

come here," said Zlatka Fistonic, 18, an exchange student from Croatia who is

at Newtown High School for her senior year. As a "reward" for her years of

hard work reflected in scholastic achievement, last year Zlatka's father

proposed the idea of applying to be an exchange student.

Many exchange students come here from Croatia, especially from the capital

Zagreb, where Zlatka, her 15 year-old brother, and parents live. "That is

because there are more wealthy people there," she said. Even though she has

traveled extensively in Europe, Zlatka said, "It's a big, great deal to go to

the United States - it's `in.' When you tell people you were there, they think

it's so cool."

Living in Newtown is a big change from being amid the bustle of a city with

almost one million inhabitants. Zagreb has many places for students to go -

dance clubs, movie theaters, and many cafes. "There are a lot of universities

in the city and, because of that, big things are going on. And so many young

people!" said Zlatka.

"My country is really beautiful, with a beautiful sea," said the student.

Croatia, approximately the size of West Virginia, has mountains, valleys, and

an extensive coastline on the Adriatic Sea. Zlatka wants to share information

about her culture and country with local residents, and learn about customs in

this country. "We have good food - great fish, people are very friendly, kind,

and polite."

Zagreb is somewhat removed from the war-torn areas of the region. There has

never been any fighting in or near the capital city, according to Zlatka. She

enjoys a "normal" life with her family - they make day trips to Italy, Vienna,

and Germany to shop for clothes or food which are much cheaper than in

Croatia; and they challenge each other at tennis, skiing, and swimming.

Zlatka's father has his own business, so the family takes six weeks and

relaxes in their house at the shore.

Although most high school exchange students from Croatia stay in the US to

pursue college degrees, Zlatka plans on going to a university in Vienna to

study either economics or languages. She is fluent in her native Croatian, as

well as English and German, and has studied Latin. Spanish is one of her

electives at Newtown High School.

"Schools are much more difficult in Zagreb. For my senior year I wanted to

just relax and not study as much; to have fun," she said. "[Back home] we

don't have so many days off during school - there has been almost one

[vacation] day every week here. And there are 14 subjects each year you have

to take [as opposed to six required freshman and sophomore year at NHS), but

we don't have each subject every day. We don't have study halls, and have only

a 20 minute lunch."

In Croatia, Zlatka attended one of the most academically demanding high

schools. The students are serious about their work and usually spend four

hours each school day as well as all day Sunday on homework and studying -

without parents prompting them. For the two months before Christmas or summer

vacations, it is not unusual for the youth to come home from school and study

from 3 until 11 pm, according to Zlatka. The students have to be prepared for

each day because oral exams are given without notice. And if you skip classes,

you are kicked out of school.

"School [here] has been fun because it is not difficult," said Zlatka. She is

taking honors math and chemistry, American literature, American history,

Spanish, and gym, and has joined the swim team. She is surprised that so many

students work after school - something Croatian teenagers don't have time for

during the academic year because they are so busy with school work, she said.

Zlatka has recently moved to a new host home in Newtown where she will live

until the end of the school year. Shirley and Thomas Belli, along with their

daughter, a junior at NHS, welcomed the opportunity to share their Taunton

Hill home and learn about life in another country.

"I'm an only child and it's nice to have company," said Gina Belli. "I don't

really think of her as being from Croatia - she speaks English so well...It's

just like having a friend live in my house."

Gina said she has enjoyed going out with Zlatka and having her meet her

friends. She helps Zlatka with her English homework, and the exchange student

helps her with her math homework. And they talk a great deal about the

differences and similarities in their lives.

"There is a pretty big difference in how we live day-to-day - they are a lot

more school oriented in Croatia," said Gina. "But it has made me realize that

the world is a lot smaller than I thought it was." For instance, traveling to

Germany seemed like such a great undertaking before she heard the Zlatka's

stories of how common it was to explore other countries.

"I have enjoyed my friendship with Gina and her friends, and going out to the

movies," said the exchange student. "I also enjoy hanging around with the

Bellis and watching TV at home - everything." It was also fun to help the

family decorate the Christmas tree, she added.

"I think we have a pretty happy new family. Zlatka is a very sweet and upbeat

person, who is happy and cooperative. So that's a nice addition to any

family," said Mrs Belli. "We've had fun talking about the different customs,

and different foods."

Zlatka said, although she enjoys her host mother's cooking, she doesn't

particularly care for most foods here, especially not the fast food. In

Croatia she ate a lot of fresh fish, vegetables, and fruit. "I had never

tasted Mexican Food before. And we don't have Chinese restaurants like you

have here," she said.

The exchange student is looking forward to completing her driver's education

course at the high school and obtaining her driver's license. She also

anticipates going to see New York City sometime in the spring. "I'm having so

much fun [with the Bellis], I don't have such homesickness," said Zlatka.

Most Croats are Roman Catholic so Christmas is "one of the most important

holidays" in her native country. "I hope Sarajevo will have peace at least for

Christmas," she said, obviously pleased about the peace agreement. "People are

so sick of war. I have never gone through war, but seeing what other people

are going through in Bosnia, I want the peace agreement to work. It has been a

full four years the war has been fought - it's finally time to stop it," said

Zlatka. "I lost my uncle... but many families lost six or seven members. I

want that peace more for those people."