Miguel Barao is an exchange student from Portugal who is calling Grayslake home for a year.

Barao is a sophomore currently staying with senior Jack Clearwater and his family.  According to Barao, his host family is extremely kind and did a lot to help him settle in. He said that Jack helped him out by introducing him to his friends.

“It’s a once in a lifetime learning experience,” he said.

Even though it’s only for a year, it’s been a pretty easy transition. He said the biggest difference from schools and just in general here and Portugal is the size.

“Portugal is not a big country,” he said, “The things [buildings] here are so big.

 Miguel said that before transferring to America, he lived in the capital of Portugal.

 “[The] capital, despite being large, is very cozy as well,” he said.

The school system compared between the two countries is also a bit different but in a good way. “[The] capital, despite being large, is very cozy as well,” he said.

 For now, Barao might not miss his home too much but it’ll
probably change.

“I don’t [miss it], not yet anyways. [I only miss] my friends and family really.”