Meet Round Square Exchange Student Jenna ’27

March 28, 2025

Jenna ’27

By Tatiana ’28

Jenna van Niekerk, from Dainfern College in Johannesburg, South Africa, recently joined Cate as an exchange student for the entire Spring trimester. I sat down with Jenna a week into her exchange to learn about her experience at Cate so far. Jenna had many options to choose from, and with the help of her sister, Skye, who was also an exchange student at Cate, made the decision to come to Cate because she wanted to experience a new perspective outside of her bubble in South Africa. Jenna’s favorite part of Cate so far is the people. She finds that people at Cate are very welcoming and willing to help. At her host family’s house, she enjoys playing with the dogs, going on walks, and finishing her homework. She has quickly begun to form friendships with other students, even outside the classroom, like her lacrosse team.

Jenna’s school life has been going quite well. She even emphasized her love for chemistry! Jenna uses her free periods to start on any pending homework, and even her school work from South Africa. So far, Jenna’s favorite foods in the dining hall are, and I quote,“THURSDAY FRIED CHICKEN!” and Lucky Charms, which she enjoys as her midday snack. She finds Cate’s campus to be “massive and outdoorsy” and she says the weather is very different compared to her hometown. Throughout her exchange, Jenna hopes to create lifelong friendships and memories.