In just a few short weeks, Basile Gaveriaux, an exchange student from France, has made a mark on Tower Hill School. With a customary smile and sunny disposition, the newest member of the junior class is successfully navigating his way through Upper School and making new friends.
“I can say it’s pretty easy for me to integrate into a new environment…because I traveled a lot while I was young,” says Basile, when asked how the transition is going. “I think it’ll be a great experience in my life.”
Although being an international student seems daunting, it hasn’t stopped Basile from being his usual jovial self. “At start it was a bit difficult because I was in French mode and I had to concentrate myself to understand and translate the words in English to talk with others,” Basile stated. “With time it became second nature; I understood faster the questions or just discussions and I don’t have anymore the need to translate all in French and then translate back to English.”
Tower Hill has been helping Basile become more comfortable with English. “Thanks to the interactions between other students, and teachers and also the classes like English or US History where we use a lot of words so that helped me to understand better English,” he said.
Ironically, Basile wasn’t expecting to attend Tower Hill School as an exchange student. “When I came here at first I had to go to in a public school, like, I had to pay more to go in private school…” Basile said.“But my host family choose me to go here,” he said, “ and I enjoy my time.” His host family, the Simons, have a niece, Alexandra (’25), and nephew, Hudson (’29), attending Tower Hill and know the school well. “Alexandra has helped me find people” with which to socialize and hang out.
Basile’s language and cultural difference has not stopped him from becoming a prominent figure in the Tower Hill community. “Basile is an incredibly light-hearted and funny person,” said Dr. Brown, Basile’s advisor. “I always see him with a smile on his face and whether I see him around in the halls, or in soccer practice, he is always trying to make people laugh and enjoy themselves.”
Basile (#47) playing in the JV soccer match against St. Andrews
Basile also brought in donuts to the first advisory of the school year, with Dr. Brown adding, “I think that he loves being able to make connections to people and it was something that warmed him to the entire advisory. He just loves to see people happy.”
One such person is Sammy Ghazi (’25), Basile’s teammate on the soccer team. “I think Basile brings flair and skill to the soccer team which helps a lot in the midfield when you have to get past defenders in clever ways. He also brings team chemistry up and has a good sense of tactics which he shared with Mr. Rapp.” As Sammy describes further, “We used his tactics in the game against Sanford which we won. And he assisted me in my first official goal of the season against Caravel which wrapped up the game.” Based on his experience with Basile, Sammy says he would consider participating in an exchange program himself.
When asked about his favorite part of America so far, Basile responded, “Favorite thing? I love the food. It's different. I ate a thing it's called…” Basile paused, contemplating what the name was. “How do you call it? With Lobster? Like a sandwich with a Lobster?” He then smiled and laughed, because he knows he said something funny.
Gaveriaux’s journey as an international student at Tower Hill is a testament to his resilience and ability to embrace change. Basile has emerged as an example of someone who not only thrives in a new environment but also enriches the lives of those around him.
His willingness to share his story, despite the linguistic hurdles he faced, demonstrates both bravery and determination. He has become an integral part of Tower Hill’s community. “The other thing I really like here [is that] all the people, even the teachers, are friendly with you,” Basile states. “You can stand in the street and talk to anyone.”
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