Mater Dei’s diverse environment encompasses the rich backgrounds of students not only from California but also around the world. Coming from different countries abroad, international students have chosen to continue their studies and enrich their knowledge at Mater Dei High School. A few international students shared their unique perspectives about their experience studying internationally, away from their home countries. 

Junior Andres Ruano Moren is from Guatemala and initially traveled to America in 2021 when he was only thirteen years old. Ruano Moren first learned about Mater Dei through the recommendations of his club soccer coaches. It is through his passion for soccer and sports that he was driven to study abroad in America.

“The main reason [I wanted to study in America] was [because of] the sports,” Ruano Moren said. “There is a better level here than in my country, so I wanted to develop my skills.”

Although he is away from close family, Ruano Moren manages feelings of homesickness by seeking out the positive aspects of his life at school. He continues to find joy through his involvement in Mater Dei’s JV Boys Soccer Team, which has granted him the opportunity to focus on his soccer career while also building meaningful relationships beyond the classroom.

“My favorite part has been being able to share experiences with new people and connecting with others through what we love,” Ruano Moren said. “[For me], it’s sports and having a good time at school.”

Senior Pinky Tran is another international student who has been part of the Mater Dei family since her junior year. She embarked on her journey to the United States on Aug. 6 of last year when she was nearly 16 years old. Drawn to Mater Dei for its reputation in academics and athletics, Tran believes the school will prepare her for her future academic goals. 

“I researched schools in California, and Mater Dei stood out to me for its long history of academic excellence and its fame in sports,” Tran said. “I believe that this school will prepare me to get into the college that I want.”

Choosing to study in America was a deliberate decision for Tran, who values the broad educational opportunities available in the United States.

“America is one of the best countries with the most efficient curriculum and high infrastructure in education,” Tran said.

Her experience in California has been positive, as she particularly enjoys the school’s diverse range of artistic activities. 

“One of the best things about living in California is [that] the weather is nice and calm,” Tran said. “For school activities, I love the arts. There’s an art show, theater class, dance class… and all of them give you a chance to stand and perform on stage, even if you’re new to the subject.”

Jacob Ruiz is a senior with a GPA of 4.0. His journey at Mater Dei High School started back in the summer of 2023 when he was 16 years old. Coming from the beautiful country of the Philippines, it was the first time Ruiz had come to the United States. He shared some of the different experiences he had been through comparing the two education systems. 

“Back in the Philippines, dismissal time was around 4:30 p.m. every single day, and we had twelve subjects,” Ruiz said. “So bringing it down to eight and having the dismissal time at 2 p.m. consistently was very nice to pace.”

Having an exceptional educational performance at Mater Dei, Ruiz opens up about the reason why he is experiencing this incredible work rate. 

“At Mater Dei, there’s more focus on pursuing what you’re interested in,” Ruiz said. “There were no picking classes [in the Philippines]. It was just taking exactly what it was every single year, same as everyone else in your track.” 

Ruiz believes that one of the biggest and best differences about the schooling system at Mater Dei is that the school allows students to tailor their lessons to exactly what they are interested in. 

The unique experiences of Ruano Moren, Tran, and Ruiz continue to reflect the varying cultures and stories of students that Mater Dei celebrates. Tran greatly appreciates the respect the school has for different backgrounds and identities. 

“I love that the school also celebrates some holidays [they celebrate] in Asia like Lunar New Year and the Mid-Autumn festival to make you feel less homesick,” Tran said.

Those like Ruano Moren feel that the active Monarch community creates a safe space for all students that extends its love to everyone.

“It has been a 10 out of 10 experience,” Ruano Moren said. “I really like it. Since the first time I came here, I felt welcomed by my teammates, and it has been a good environment.”