BETHEL — Telstar High School’s five foreign students this year agree that people in the area, and in the United States, are all very friendly.

One, in fact, is now spending a second year in a Western Maine high school because he really likes the educational system and the people.

Donghyeon No, a 16-year-old from South Korea, was a student at Mountain Valley High School in Rumford last year. And he’s hoping he’ll be able to do his third and final high school year at Telstar next year.

Don, as he is known, has traveled to many areas in the United States, and he said all the people are really nice.

“I feel like I’m having a new start,” he said.

He particularly likes that he can choose his subjects, and students move from classroom to classroom, rather than the teachers like at home.

Joining Don at Telstar are Kafai Yung, 18, from Hong Kong, Adam Literak, 18, of the Czech Republic, Julius Augustus Utz Fehlau, 15, of Germany and Cecilie Linea Ellefsen, 17, of Norway.

This is Adam’s first time in the United States.

“I want to learn better English, become more independent, and to be with others and away from my family,” he said.

He also wants to see what American culture is like, and so far, he really likes it.

Julius has been to the United States before — to New York City — and wanted to see more of the American lifestyle.

“It’s not the same as the stereotypes,” he said.

He also likes the different classes he can take at Telstar.

Cecilie is also in the United States for the first time.

“It’s really different from Norway. I want to experience the proper American Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving and other holidays,” she said.

Although Norway celebrates Christmas, Thanksgiving and Halloween will be entirely new for her, she said.

Kafai actually arrived at Telstar from Hong Kong in January and is studying from January 2011 to January 2012 at the local school.

“I love the snow. We don’t have that in Hong Kong,” he said.

He also likes that the area doesn’t have light pollution. He said in his city the buildings and so tall and the lights so bright, that the sky can’t be seen.

“This sky has lots of stars,” he said.

The students also like that sports are built into the system. Cecilie really likes sports, so she’s playing soccer. She really likes the school spirit, too. She said none exists at her school back home.

Adam is playing football, and the others may join a sports team.

He is also impressed that Americans are really open, unlike what he’s used to back home.

The only downside identified by the young people is the lack of public transportation.

Kafai said he’s used to going everywhere by himself, but in Bethel he has to depend on someone to take him where he wants to go.

“But I understand,” he said of the ruralness of the area.