Through the Round Square exchange program, the school has welcomed four new students from Colombia, India, and Singapore for the fourth marking period.
The exchange program began when the school joined Round Square, a cohort of international schools, in 2004, but was slowed down by the demolition of Bissell Hall, the pandemic, and the renovation of Memorial Hall. Now, with more residential space, the school is welcoming the most students in years.
Mr. Dave Thompson, director of international programs, said, “We’re very fortunate that people look to Hotchkiss as a school where they’ll send students who are mature and outgoing.”
He also noted the impact exchange students have on full-time students.
“They bring real excitement to our campus because they are often very excited about this unique model of education and community. There are things here that we often start to take for granted and, when you have these exchanges, it’s a really good dose of perspective,” Mr. Thompson said.
Ava Akbarian ’27 comes to Lakeville from the United World College Dover(UWC) in Singapore. She noted that class sizes at the school are half the sizes of those at the UWC.
Akbarian said, “I find it a lot easier for us to connect with the students and teachers, both in classrooms and in the dorm, because we are a small and tight-knit community.”
Akbarian was able to meet with students who visited Singapore on one of the school’s language immersion trips in March.
She is looking forward to experiencing the campus in spring, especially the reopening of the lake.
Alexandra Espinosa ’26 attends Colegio Anglo Colombiano in Bogotá, Colombia. While her friends on other exchanges only submitted one application through Round Square, Espinosa completed two applications — one through Round Square and one through Hotchkiss — in order to come here.
Espinosa takes fewer subjects here than in Colombia. She said, “I think I’ve been able to get a really good glimpse of the U.S. culture so I am very excited to continue seeing what it’s like to live here.”
Ana Rebolledo ’26, also from Bogotá, Colombia, attends Colegio Los Nogales. Rebolledo said, “I am really interested in meeting new cultures and having a different experience.” She explained how both the schedule and academic curriculum at the school are different from Los Nogales.
Rebolledo usually starts classes earlier and has a break before lunch, but there are no free periods. She also noted that with the Harkness method of teaching, the classes here are much more discussion-based.
Rebolledo is excited about all aspects of the spring, more specifically the Catalina dance and the reopening of the lake. She said, “Everyone has been telling me that it’s the best marking period to be here.”
Archit Sehgal ’25 attends Daly College in Indore, India. He said, “I chose to come to Hotchkiss because of all the esteemed programs that it provides and the varieties of clubs, sports, and activities.”
Sehgal noted that the educational curriculum at the school is more adaptable than at Daly College, where he maintains the same subjects for both upperclass years.
He said, “Everyone that I’ve met in my dorm and all my classmates have been really kind towards me.” Sehgal looks forward to continuing the construction of an electric guitar in the EFX Lab and exploring campus with the Adventure Team, where he enjoys a range of physical activities.
Mr. Thompson encourages students interested in a fourth marking period exchange next year to reach out.
He said, “We are very fortunate to get some of the best kids our partner schools have to offer. They are like any typical Hotchkiss student, but because they are here for such a short time, it’s really intense and positive. It’s a great way for someone to get out, do something different and, if there’s a language involved, to be immersed in the language.”
