Lucia Gamble, a recent scholar on our Secondary School Exchange (SSE) programme, tells us about her experience
It’s hard to believe that my year at Mercersburg Academy in Pennsylvania has come to an end. What began in London nearly two years ago with a competitive application to the English-Speaking Union’s Secondary School Exchange scholarship has since become the most transformative, exciting and enriching chapter of my life.
From the moment I arrived, Mercersburg became more than just a school; it became a second home. I threw myself into a vibrant academic and arts community, studying 10 different art subjects, including photography, videography, painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpture, dance, choral performance, arts practicum, and voice and vision. I also took two advanced English courses – Stories of Post-Colonial Resilience and Introduction to Professional Criticism – both of which pushed me intellectually and gave me new ways to view the world.
This feeling was heightened by being on campus for the US presidential election, which meant that I experienced the controversy and strong opinions that come with a vote this significant. Since Pennsylvania is one of the main swing states, the intensity was amplified, leading to contrasting thoughts from both staff and students. For me this was fascinating to overhear, and attending the watch party organised by the school for both the debates and the voting announcement gave me the full American perspective.
This opportunity to meet new people and hear new ideas continued throughout my stay, thanks in part to the semi-formal dinners which were held every Monday night to celebrate the start of a new week. Table plans are randomly selected and rotated every two weeks so you always had the chance to meet new faces and have engaging conversations to get to know your peers on a deeper level. These sit-down dinners were often followed by prestigious guest speakers, for example Olympic gold medalists, actors and authors.
What made my time at Mercersburg even more meaningful was how much I stepped outside of my comfort zone. Despite having no prior experience, I auditioned for the choir and was given a place as a soprano, something I never imagined myself doing. We performed across a wide range of events, singing everything from Latin choral pieces to African heritage songs and contemporary arrangements at concerts, convocations, and even charity events.
Dance quickly became a huge part of my weekly routine with 15 to 20 hours of training each week, sometimes more, with guest choreographers and workshops. I had the opportunity to perform in three large public concerts, and we also took time to give back, performing at a local care home during Christmas and making cards for the residents.
Beyond the classroom, I embraced opportunities to connect with the wider community, volunteering to pack clothes and toys for Samaritan’s Angel Tree Trust and assembling food parcels for a local homeless shelter. During the holiday season, my friends and I went carolling at the local library for young children, accompanied by the school jazz band. These moments grounded me and reminded me of the impact small acts of kindness can have.
I was also selected to join the school ski team, which was incredible! Skiing four days a week with friends as part of the curriculum was everything I could’ve imagined – and more. It took me to the mountains of Colorado, New Hampshire, and local resorts in Pennsylvania, an unforgettable way to experience winter in the US. When I was not skiing or dancing, I was travelling. Over the course of the year, I explored more than 15 states from the Midwest to the East Coast, the deep south to the Rockies, including Ohio, Illinois, New York, Washington DC, West Virginia and beyond.
Dorm life was its own adventure. I lived in Swank Hall with 36 incredible girls and our much-loved dorm dog, Mulligan. We built a family together, sharing the highs and lows of daily life and taking part in unforgettable school traditions like Paint the Number, Founder’s Day, ‘Swanksgiving’, The Christmas Dance, and Declamation, the highly-respected IrvingMarshall speaking contest. This event is the culmination of a week’s activities, with each society represented by five students who perform 8-10 minute monologues in front of the entire school. After Declamation, the judges’ critiques are compared, the results are tallied, and Head of School Mr. McDowell announces the winning society at an all-school dance that evening. This year, Irving – my society – emerged victorious! And then of course there was graduation, one of the most beautiful and emotional days of my life, a perfect close to a year that exceeded all expectations.
When I first boarded the flight to the US, I was nervous about fitting in and adapting to a new culture. But after just a few weeks, homesickness faded and Mercersburg felt like home. I miss it every single day. In such a short space of time, my experience in the USA has opened my eyes and inspired me in too many ways to count. I am so grateful to everyone who has supported me on this journey. Thank you to Mercersburg, the ESU, my teachers, my friends, my dorm, my teammates, and everyone who made this year one I will carry with me forever.
