Last month, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Jirka from the Czech Republic and Anna from Romania, two of our 11th-grade students at West River Academy. Their friendship blossomed after meeting during one of our monthly Social Hour calls. Since their first email exchange following that call, they have become inseparable friends, chatting daily and sharing their lives from afar. Jirka even made a week-long trip to Romania to visit Anna and experience her country firsthand. In our interview, both shared how their friendship and this unique cultural exchange have deepened their understanding of each other’s worlds.

Jirka and Anna’s friendship is built on a mutual love of languages, having fun and learning in a way that is enjoyable. Both students have been homeschooled most of their lives, which they believe has fueled their curiosity and given them the freedom to explore topics beyond standard curricula. “I always liked learning about places outside the Czech Republic,” Jiri said. “Meeting Anna and seeing her life in Romania felt like opening a new chapter in a book I’d always wanted to read.” Anna agreed, adding that connecting with someone so far away who shares her passion has made her feel inspired to connect with more people around the world.

Jirka’s week in Romania was packed with exploration and fun. From strolling through Anna’s hometown to visiting historical sites, he was immersed in a culture that was both new and fascinating. One of the first things Jirka noticed was the warmth and hospitality of the people, something that Anna had often mentioned. In Romanian culture, hospitality is a significant value, with families welcoming visitors with open arms and plenty of food. Jirka experienced this firsthand when Anna’s family hosted him,  “They made me feel so welcome,” Jirka shared. “Everyone is just SO friendly and we are always eating good food!”

The duo is inspired to continue traveling and hope to make more WRA friends! They have created their own WhatsApp group for teenagers in Europe. It’s an incredible opportunity to have “classmates”, as they say, all around the world and we hope our students will continue to adventure and learn together as lifetime friends!