Mateo Carreno Lopez is a 16-year-old student from Madrid, Spain, and he has embarked on an adventure many teenagers only dream of: spending a year abroad in the United States.
“I came here as an 11th grader, about a month ago,” Lopez shared. “I decided to come to the United States to see how life is here, learn about the traditions, and experience a different culture.”
Lopez’s placement at Greeley West High School was random. “I signed up for the program, and the company assigned me to Colorado,” he said. “I could have chosen a specific state, but that would have required extra fees, so I left it up to chance.”
Lopez noticed a lot of differences upon arriving at Greeley West. “Everything is different, like the schedules. Here, people do things much earlier,” he laughed. “In Spain, we usually eat lunch at 2 p.m., but here, it’s at 11:30 a.m. It felt strange at first, but I’ve gotten used to it.”
A significant change that Lopez has faced is a new school system. “In Spain, classes are about 45 minutes long, and we follow a different structure—class, then break, then more classes, lunch, and so on,” he explains. “We also stay in the same room all day, while the teachers come to us, and we’re always with the same classmates.”
At Greeley West, things are much more dynamic, with students moving between classes and having a more flexible schedule. Despite the differences, Lopez has found his footing and is adjusting well to the new environment.
Lopez has been keeping busy outside of school with extracurricular activities. “I play soccer, and I also play the French horn,” he explained.
Reflecting on how this experience has already changed him, Lopez said. “Being far from home and meeting new people has definitely made me more independent. I thought I would miss my family more, but I’ve been so busy that I haven’t missed them as much as I expected. Although, I did miss my sister’s birthday recently, and that made me a bit sad,” Lopez said.
His year abroad is not just about adapting to a new culture, but also about discovering more about himself. “I think being independent and meeting new people is the best part,” he added.
Lopez wholeheartedly recommends the exchange program to others, with some important advice. “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity when you’re young,” he said. “But only do it if YOU want to. If you feel like you’d prefer to stay in your home country or you think you’d miss your family too much, it’s better not to pressure yourself into studying abroad.”
As Lopez continues his journey in the U.S., he’s grateful for the support of his host family. “I’m with a very great family here. They treat me like I’m one of their own, and I love them for that,” Lopez said.
