Lincoln Academy’s residential program attracts students from all over the world. This year, the student body includes 64 residential students, from 14 different countries, spread across three continents.
“The program benefits both local and international students through the exchange of cross-cultural ideas and social norms, and the students realize that people from other countries really aren’t that different from themselves,” said Ken Stevenson, Lincoln Academy’s director of residential life.
Two of the boarding students, Ben Musoni, of Rwanda, and Aaron Vergaguer, of Spain, said they chose Lincoln Academy for its educational and sports programs.
Verdaguer, a sophomore, said he puts his school work as his top priority, as getting good grades is the first step in reaching his goals.
“I want to graduate from Lincoln Academy and go to college and medical school in California. I can’t do continue that path without financial aid,” Verdaguer said.
Musoni, a senior, dreams of being either a mechanical engineer or an architect. He is working toward making his dream job a reality by taking AP Physics, which is his favorite class, and planning on going to a university in the U.S. for engineering.
Both Musoni and Verdaguer are avid soccer players, but Verdaguer plans on trying wrestling this winter and either baseball or lacrosse in the spring.
“In Spain, you really can only play one sport in school, and I’ve always played soccer. I’m excited to try some more sports this year,” Verdaguer said.
In adjusting to Maine, Musoni found it difficult at first but got acclimated by staying focused on school and sports.
“I’m from Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. It’s a big city, but the opportunities there aren’t as great as they are here,” Musoni said, “Kigali is dry, and hot. It’s not like Maine at all.”
Verdaguer, however, is enjoying his first few months away from his home country.
“I live in a very small town on the outskirts of Barcelona. The town is right near a forest. Maine looks like home in that sense,” Verdaguer said.
Verdaguer said he lives with a kind and helpful host family, the Organ family in Bristol, who have helped make it easier to adjust to life in Maine.
“The Organs just took me in. I play sports and go to school with their kids. I feel like another member of the family,” he said.
Similar to Musoni, keeping busy with school, sports, friends, and watching movies has made it easier for Verdaguer to adjust to the Maine way of life, he said.
Stevenson said some international students sometimes have a rough start when first arriving in Maine, but most become part of the Lincoln Academy community quickly. The school has adults and student leaders who are trained to help international students settle in.
Both Musoni and Verdaguer are grateful for being able to study at Lincoln Academy.
“I’d always wanted to come to the United States to study,” Verdaguer said.
“I miss my family in Rwanda, and I miss the warm weather, but I’m glad I chose to go to school in Maine,” Musoni said.
