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Updated Oct 9th, 2008
Foreign Exchange Students
Situated at LCHS
By CHRIS SUTTON
The Outlook
One month ago, foreign
exchange students Danko
Milinkovic and Clara Kuhland
started the school year La Cañada
High School. They recall being a
little nervous, but have quickly
adapted.
“On my first day, I went to the
wrong class after first period
because I did not know what SSR
meant on my schedule,” said
Kuhland, a junior from Cologne,
Germany. “The students and staff
helped me get to my SSR room.”
Milinkovic, a senior from
Belgrade, Serbia, had better luck
with his class schedule. He recalls
how friendly the students were,
introducing themselves to make
him feel welcome.
The cultural experience and
opportunity to participate in
another country’s educational system,
as well as meet new friends,
were some of the reasons they
both chose to come to LCHS.
Both students had ties to their
host family. Milinkovic is residing
with Marijain and Vickie
Dravinski, and Kuhland is staying
with Chris and Sonja Bradley and
their children. Milinkoiv’s father,
a spinal surgeon, met Marijian
Dravinksi in 1975 when he was in
California; they have remained
good friends. Kuhland’s brother
met young Connor Bradley on an
airplane and developed a friendship.
Two years ago, Kuhland and
her family were visiting in Santa
Monica, and she and her brother
arranged to spend a night with the
Bradley family.
Kuhland said she is enjoying
her Spanish I, French III and theater
classes.
“I really like my sociology
class because we sit around and
talk,” said Milinkovic. “It is interesting
to see how everyone thinks.”
They both agree their LCHS
teachers are understanding, helpful,
patient and open-minded. Milinkovic said some of his
teachers have given him extra
time to complete his assignments
when he has needed it. “I definitely
have more homework
here,” said Kuhland. “What
would usually take me an hour
takes me longer, because I have to
translate the content.”
Their attendance at LCHS
football games has been a highlight,
since this is not a popular
sport in their native countries.
“It was pretty awesome,” said Kuhland. “I enjoyed the band
and cheerleaders, too. This is my
first time seeing a game in person.
I have only seen them on
TV.”
Speaking of sports, Milinkovic, an avid basketball
player, is currently playing on the
Spartans’ varsity team, although
he thinks he will not be able to
compete in any of the games.
“I was also an escort for the
Rose Queen contestants’ dance,
which was really exciting for
me,” said Milinkovic.
This month, both are hoping
to attend the LCHS Homecoming
Dance.
So far they feel their experience
at LCHS has exceeded their
expectations.
Kuhland has been shopping
and having lunch with her best
friend she met at LCHS. “It was
really fun,” she said. “Even
though we are from different
countries and cultures, we are
alike,” she said.
They both plan to follow in
their parents’ footsteps, as Milinkovic hopes to become a
surgeon and Kuhland wants to be
involved in journalism and producing.
(Her parents produce TV
programs and films.)
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