Thomasville High School welcomes student from Norway
Published 9:21 am Monday, August 11, 2025
THOMASVILLE — Seniors at Thomasville High School returned to a newly renovated campus on Monday morning with stars in their eyes of the endless possibilities that senior year brings. But for one senior, Monday was particularly special as it was her first day in an American school.
Michelle Johannessen of Norway is joining the Class of 2026 as a foreign exchange student through the Greenheart Exchange Program.
With more than 40 years of cultural exchange, the Greenheart Exchange Program facilitates cultural exchange programs for students to work or study in the USA or abroad. The program connects host families to students seeking opportunities to broaden their horizons.
Johannessen applied for the program in her home country, before meeting with coordinators, who tested her English-speaking abilities and interviewed her on her desire to study abroad.
Within two days, Johannessen learned she had been accepted into the program and began filling out an application to find a host family.
“The family chooses you,” she said. “In the application, you have to write about yourself, what you like to do in your free time, and if you have any health issues.”
From there, families across the United States viewed Johannessen’s application.
Hoping to live somewhere warm, Johannessen was selected by the Russo family.
Amanda Russo currently teaches at Thomasville and was inspired by her childhood, when her family hosted an exchange student from Australia, with whom she still keeps in contact.
After hearing of her selection, Johannessen said she received six vaccinations and was approved by her doctor to travel. She then applied for her VISA and flew across the globe, where she was greeted by her new family.
Having come from a small town in Norway, Johannessen said she chose to be a part of the program after she moved to a high school that none of her friends attended. There, she had a difficult time finding a friend group.
“That was one of the factors that made me want to have an exchange year,” she said. “I also wanted to have a sense of another culture and place.”
Johannessen had previously visited Florida and knew a small bit about Georgia when she got her assignment.
While she hopes to learn more about Georgia and the Southern way of life, Johannessen is also excited to experience high school milestones such as Homecoming and prom.
“We have prom in Norway for 8th- and 10th-graders,” she explained. “But, I want to have this type of prom because it’s not the same.”
Johannessen hopes these memories will be filled with new friends as well.
“I’m excited to get friends and have good relationships with people that will carry on the rest of my life,” she said.
Although she has only been here a short period of time, Johannessen has already found her classmates to be kind and welcoming.
“The people here are nicer than the people in Norway,” she admitted. “In Norway, you keep to yourself if you’re not in a friendship group, but I don’t feel like it’s that way here. It’s easier to talk to people here.”
Johannessen has been welcomed onto the volleyball team as the team’s manager, as she did not arrive in time for tryouts. However, she is excited to see more local sports, especially American football games.
“In a town close to me, we have a yearly American football game and it’s one of the biggest things to go to,” she said. “I know a little bit about it, and it’s my favorite thing to see.”
Johannessen hopes her stay in Thomasville will encourage more students to consider an exchange year, as it provides a unique opportunity to see a different way of life.
“It’s once in a lifetime to live in a different place for a year,” she said.
Many students abroad are still hoping for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Currently, more than 200 students have been approved through the program, but are in need of host families.
Those interested in learning more about becoming a host family can contact local coordinator Cynthia George at 229-225-6812.