Marek Sebesta is a 16-year-old junior in high school. He is from the Czech Republic. He arrived in the US on July 26, and is returning to his home country on May 30, 2026.
Some of his hobbies include chess, karate, playing the guitar, reading, watching movies and reading fantasy books and programming. His favorite subject is physics. He likes hiking, sports and other outdoor activities. He also likes playing video and board games.
He did not have any problems with English since he was able to learn it at home and at school. He relayed that he is not really the type to get homesick, and he has not gotten homesick once.
When he came to Indiana, he expected it to be a little different from what it is. He did not expect it to be so agriculturally based as he thought it to be more of how America looks in the West coast. He does not really like the fact that the climate and nature look the same as they did at home, so he does not think his living experience is that good. He also does not like that there is no good public transportation in Indiana, and that the prices do not include tax.
However, he still enjoys that he is living in a different country. Some things are different, mainly how cities look and the culture.
He said, “Indiana is very different from my home.”
His average day is not much different then it was at home, but he comes home three hours later than he would back in Czechia, and he spends more time with his host family rather than just being in my room, especially on weekends. He said a lot of things are bigger here than in Europe, and he notices how Americans also have a different attitude towards alcohol.
Marek said his old school and Mt. Vernon have many differences. He said Mt. Vernon is almost two times bigger than his old school. He personally likes smaller schools because it is easier to get from one class to another, and because there are not many students. Students have a higher chance of getting classes with people they know.
However, due to the smaller size of his old school, he was forced to take classes that he did not like. He enjoys that he has more options here, even though it is difficult to make friends.
Marek plans on living in Czechia after he goes to college. He does not know if he wants to go to college here yet, but right now, he does not really want to go back, and wants to explore the US more.
He said “ I do not really miss the people in Czechia as they can be rude, and people here are much nicer.”