Number three on the JV soccer team may look like an ordinary MHS student, but Carlo Tschopp, senior, is actually a foreign exchange student from Lucerne, Switzerland.

Sixteen year old Tschopp said he wanted to complete a school year in America.  Tschopp said he is fluent in German and knows some French and English.

Even though he is taking U.S. History, French III, Beginning Guitar, English Speakers of Other Languages, Biochemistry, Algebra II, and Politics and Conflict, Tschopp said that school in Switzerland is a lot harder than school in America.  Plus, Tschopp said the lifestyle in America is a lot different than Switzerland.

Along with his classes, Tschopp also participates in soccer.  When he showed up to tryouts on Friday, August 12, Brendan Taylor, JV soccer coach, immediately saw that Tschopp was in good shape.

“He had good skills and looked comfortable on the ball,” Taylor said.  “He seems like he fits in well with the current team because he is unselfish with the ball.”

Taylor said the players seem to really enjoy him, and it is cool to have people with different backgrounds.
“He has a quality skill set that will make everyone better,” Taylor said.

Tschopp said he likes having Taylor as a coach, but besides soccer, Tschopp also participates in rowing in Switzerland.

Principal Dr. Greg Mathison said that Marquette has been closed to the foreign exchange program in the past because of the large student population, but this year they opened it up for one student.

“This year we are piloting the foreign exchange program,” Dr. Mathison.  “This program is great way for students and teachers to understand different backgrounds, and it is great for him (Tschopp) to bring back new ideas to his home country.”