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Carrington Today
By the People, for the People
European Students Thrive at Carrington High
Two foreign exchange students from Italy and Spain find community and new experiences in small-town North Dakota
Published on Mar. 9, 2026
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Annalisa Gentili, a senior from Rome, Italy, and Andrea Sanchez, a junior from Zaragoza, Spain, are spending the school year as foreign exchange students at Carrington High School in North Dakota. Despite adjusting to differences in food, weather, and being away from family, the students have embraced the welcoming community, made new friends, and gotten involved in sports and activities at the school.
Why it matters
Foreign exchange programs provide valuable cultural exchange opportunities for students, helping them gain new perspectives and experiences. Carrington High's willingness to host these students from Europe showcases the town's openness to diversity and highlights the benefits that international students can bring to a small-town community.
The details
Gentili and Sanchez are taking full advantage of their time at Carrington High, participating in volleyball, dance, archery, FBLA, FCCLA, and Student Council. They've had to adjust to differences in food, with Gentili eating more meat than she's used to and Sanchez enjoying the school's salad bar. The weather has also been a major change, with Gentili finding the North Dakota winters too cold compared to Italy's climate.
- Gentili and Sanchez arrived in Carrington at the start of the 2025-2026 school year.
- They will finish out the school year and return home in May 2026.
The players
Annalisa Gentili
A senior from Rome, Italy, studying at Carrington High School for the 2025-2026 school year as a foreign exchange student.
Andrea Sanchez
A junior from Zaragoza, Spain, studying at Carrington High School for the 2025-2026 school year as a foreign exchange student.
What they’re saying
“It is different, everyone is very welcoming, the teachers are helpful, and I've made new friends.”
— Annalisa Gentili (Foster County Independent)
“There's not much here, but I love the people. They are really helpful and nice.”
— Andrea Sanchez (Foster County Independent)
What’s next
Gentili and Sanchez will continue to participate in school events and activities, including state FCCLA competitions and archery tournaments, before returning to their home countries in May 2026.
The takeaway
The presence of these foreign exchange students at Carrington High School demonstrates the value of cultural exchange programs and the positive impact they can have on both the students and the local community. Their willingness to embrace new experiences and the town's openness to hosting them highlights the benefits of diversity and global connections, even in a small-town setting.
