BUCKFIELD — Three foreign exchange students at Buckfield Junior-Senior High School said they received phone calls, texts, Facebook messages and Skypes from family and friends during Hurricane Sandy.

The three girls from Ecuador, Brazil and Moldova told them the worst of the hurricane didn’t make it to Buckfield and Turner, where they are living with host homes for the school year.

Renata Cavalhieri, a junior from Brazil, Doina Leca, a senior from Moldova, and Mishell Mazon, a senior from Ecuador, said they are thrilled to be attending the rural school.

Leca said she has always wanted to come to the United States. In her country, she had to compete for the honor by showing her English expertise, describing her life, and being interviewed. The first time she tried she didn’t make it, but she was determined to come out on top during the second application process.

“When I was a child my dream was to come here,” said the 17-year-old student who wants to become a pediatrician. “It’s a quiet, interesting place where you can be closer to nature and you can be yourself.”

Cavalhieri is impressed with the number of trees.

“At home, there’s just buildings and cars. I like to walk down the street and feel safe,” she said.

Mazon was a little surprised to find the area is so rural. She expected it to be like Florida, she said.

“It’s different, but it’s safer here than in my country,” said the 18-year-old who plans to study architecture or engineering.

Watching her weight has been difficult, she said, with all the pizza and brownies. At home, the diet is more healthful with rice, beans and lots of vegetables.

She said she loves her host family, but she’s misses home, just as Leca and Cavalhieri do. Mazon is living with Gretchen Kimball, an English and science teacher at the school. Leca and Cavalhieri are neighbors in Turner where they are staying with the Stirling and Roberts families.

The three said they were surprised at the amount of mixes and prepared food used by families in this country.

“We have homemade food at home, a lot of soups and vegetables,” Leca said. “I miss my mom’s cooking.”

Cavalhieri, who hopes to study biology, said she wanted to come to the United States to improve her English.

“I want to be here. I like the people,” she said.

All three have been pleased by the friendliness of fellow students. They said everyone is helpful with homework and explaining the ways of living in the area. They are invited to the homes of other students.

All three also help out with the middle school after-school program.

“They are so excited. They ask us about our country and traditions,” Leca said.

Mazon said she has taught the middle school students to cook empanada and other dishes from her country, as have Leca and Cavalhieri.

Later in the school year, the three will make presentations of their cultures to the students at Buckfield Junior-Senior High School, where flags, musical instruments, spices, candy and other foods will be shown and described.

School Principal George Reuter, who has hosted several foreign exchange students each year, said, “They are a great addition to have them here.”