Meet the Foreign Exchange Students

Is where you're from anything like Reedsburg? 

I’m from Kyoto city, which has a 1.46 million population.

What is the difference between school here and school at home?

In my country, school starts in April and ends in March. Students usually stay in one homeroom, and teachers rotate classes. We don’t have dance events.

What's the hardest part of being here?

Learning or understanding the teen vocabulary in English that is not my native language.

What has been your favorite part of American Highschool?

Grades (ages) don’t matter as much as Japan, they are having fun in sport activities or events such as football games, homecoming, and volleyball!

Are you involved in any clubs or sports?

I’m playing volleyball.

Why did you decide to be an exchange student?

Because I have been wanting to spend my school life in America, and experience many shining moments, which I’m having just right now. And I wanted to gain my life skills and English skills by throwing myself into a whole new world.

What is your favorite American food? What is your least favorite?

Pizza, hamburgers and more. My least favorite is root beer.

What's something Americans do that wouldn't be acceptable in your country? 

Eat food during the class/ don’t wear shoes inside.(we take off shoe in house and wear different indoor shoes during school)

Is this the state you wanted to come to?

To be honest, I didn’t know about this state before my placement had been decided. Though I don’t regret to be here at all.

How have students and other Americans acted toward you? Was it what you expected? 

They have been curious about where I came from and some people are really nice to make me fit into. I feel happy when people come to talk to me, since they notice that I’m an exchange student. I want to talk to as many new people as I can!

What do you hope to learn this year?

I hope to learn about cultural differences, American life, and reflect myself by spending time alone in a whole new place.

What's something that Americans do that surprised you?

They drive from 16, and we can drive from 18 in Japan. I was also surprised that the relationship between teacher and student is close, and they put energy in club activities.

I’m Japanese, although I have lived in several countries and have experience of visiting many countries. I was born in Germany, lived for three years, moved to the Czech Republic and lived there for three years. I lived in Singapore for six years. This exchange year is the third time I've come to  the USA. 

I’m having fun so far, and I’m excited to do many other new things during my exchange year!

Is where you're from anything like Reedsburg?

The difference in the cities isn't that big. I think that my city in Norway may be a little bigger, but not a lot.

What is the difference between school here and school at home?

The schedule. Every day is like block days in Norway instead of just two days. We rarely get homework and when we do, we don't get graded on it.

What's the hardest part of being here?

The hardest part of being here is that all my friends and family are back at home. Sometimes I get homesick and that's even harder when I know I'm not gonna see them until the year is over, and that I can't do anything about it. I also get fomo sometimes, especially when I'm watching my friends' social media posts every time there is a party, hangout, event etc that I miss out on.

What has been your favorite part of American Highschool?

I like the school spirit. We don't have any school spirit in Norway. I also like how the schedule is set up. In Norway every day is like a block day. I like that every class is only 45 minutes when it's not a block day.

Are you involved in any clubs or sports?

I am currently in the girls soccer club, and I'm gonna try out for the high school soccer team too.

Why did you decide to be an exchange student?

I wanted to experience something new and different, and just experience the typical American high school life. I also wanted to become more independent 

What is your favorite American food? 

I really like Culvers and Taco bell.

What's something Americans do that wouldn't be acceptable in your country? 

Wearing leggings and we also never talk to strangers unless we have to. We don't start small conversations with people we don't know. We barely do small talks with people we do know.

Do you ever regret coming here?

The first few weeks were very hard and all I wanted was to go back home. Sometimes I think about how my life in Norway would've been if I was there now, but I have never regretted my decision to come here.

Is this the state you wanted to come to?

When I thought about the states I wanted to go to, Wisconsin did not cross my mind. But I am very happy that I ended up here.

How have students and other Americans acted toward you? Was it what you expected? 

Everyone has been really nice to me. I didn't know what to expect to be honest. I did know that Americans were more outgoing and talkative, and they really are. A lot of people have approached me and started small talks, which I'm not used to.

What do you hope to learn this year?

I hope to learn as much as I can about American culture.

What's something that Americans do that surprised you?

It surprised me how much people drive here. In Norway there is a lot of public transportations, so we don't have the need to drive as much as people do here.