We all know the halls of Summit. They are packed with people, leading to a whitewater current of students trying to get where they need to go. For most, it’s a repetitive, energy-sucking cycle. But for some students, this is just part of their year-long learning experience.
Meet your two 2025–26 exchange students, here from different parts of Europe. You may have seen them in your classes or maybe you are friends with them.
Martina Baltanas-Falomir (Junior)
You may have seen her in art class as art is her favorite thing to do. Meet Martina Baltanas-Falomir, a junior from Spain. She can regularly be found doing art, sketching or painting. She came to the United States on a year-long exchange program from the coastal city of Castellón in Spain. Surrounded by hills, Castellón sits in eastern Spain on the Baltic Sea. Baltanas-Falomir said that it is very warm there, and Bend’s summer temperatures are Castelló’s winter temperatures.
When she isn’t doing art, Baltanas-Falomir is running cross-country, something she doesn’t do at home. She enjoys Bend and Summit, saying, “The people are so kind and the teachers help me with all of my stuff.”
She also mentioned that the teachers are much more hands-on at Summit, whereas in Spain, she is pushed more towards independent learning. Baltanas-Falomir loves making new friends, and she says to say hi if you see her in the halls.
Geremia Callegari (Junior)
From the mountainous village of Belluno, nestled in northeastern Italy, you’ll find junior Geremia Callegari. He came to Bend in August 2025 and will make his way back in July 2026.
He says that school is different in America for many reasons. He doesn’t have to wake up as early to get to class like he does in Italy, something he definitely enjoys. He also gets to choose his classes here, and he doesn’t have iPads at his school in Italy so having them here is a nice change for him.
Callegari enjoys playing guitar, which he is also taking here at Summit with band teacher Cooper Ottum. He really enjoys playing basketball and he is even thinking about trying out for the basketball team this year. He says that he enjoys Summit and thinks the people are “super nice.”
Reasons for an exchange program
All of our exchange students are here to experience what life is like in America. What many Summit students don’t know, however, is that they too can become an exchange student. Their trips can last anywhere from a few weeks to a whole year.
So why partake in an exchange program?
The US Department of State’s exchange website states, “Participants develop leadership skills, self-confidence and a greater understanding of the complexities of the world around them.” If traveling, learning new languages and experiencing different cultures while making new friends is your goal, an exchange program might be the perfect fit for you.
If you are interested in doing an exchange program, whether that be hosting a student or traveling yourself, visit the counseling office to get started.
