TOWAMENCIN- Already an active member of the student body, exchange student Lena Abbas is taking full advantage of life in America and in North Penn. Coming to us from Frankfurt, Germany, Lena was pleasantly surprised by the friendliness of her new peers and help from her host family.

“I really didn’t think that I would have so much luck with my school and host family. I think North Penn supports us exchange students very good and I didn’t expect it,” Abbas said.

In school, Lena is involved in International Friendship Club, Thespian Troupe, NPTV, and the German Club. Already going to activities with the Thespians like the annual Aids Walk, Lena looks forward to attending more events and meeting interesting people over the course of the year. She’s also excited for prom because her school in Germany doesn’t have that kind of event.

She is particularly impressed by the NPTV Club.

“The TV Club is amazing for me because I never thought a high school has a real professional studio with its own channel. It’s fun to feel like a real camera woman,” explained Abbas.

She says one of the biggest differences between North Penn and her German school is that in Germany, she took classes with the same group of people for a few years, whereas in North Penn, every period is a different set of students. Lena attributes this to why classes are louder in Germany than in North Penn. Another difference she calls to attention is that previously she could take a bus or subway and get around easily, but in Lansdale she has to ask for a ride before going anywhere.

Lena spends her free time listening music, singing, horseback riding, listening to audio versions of books, cooking, and hanging out with friends. She has also travelled to Disney, Philadelphia, Valley Forge, and the surrounding areas with her host family and anticipates trips to Boston and possibly New York later in the year.

Keeping busy with clubs, activities, and road trips, Lena Abbas is truly making the most of her time in America.