This year at Kimberly high school we have 3 new exchange students. Gerwin Jeschke, Paco Medina Olea, and Frans Lagerfeldt. Let us hear what they have to say about America!
Sophomore Paco said, “I am from Spain. I like America, it is really different just because it has so many things that make it so special. The way people think, and act is different from Spain. It just makes it really special. Freedom! I really like subway sandwiches. My biggest culture shock is school because of how the classes are divided, and the teachers are just so much kinder here. Everything here is just so much easier. What I find most interesting is pantries and children driving cars. I miss cheap, healthy food and, I miss my weird friends the most from home.”
Junior Gerwin said, “I am from Germany. I Like America, but there are some weird people. But in general, it is such a beautiful country. I have a lot of cool experiences and everyone here so just so kind and wants to help me. I really enjoy sports here. I love the Cosco $1.50 hotdogs because I get a hotdog and an unlimited drink of soda. It is the absolute best thing in the world, and I wish Germany had this. The biggest culture shock is people’s views on the world, because everything here is so America. I like the way people love their country. But it could be too much, at times. I find the most interesting is sport. I play basketball and I really enjoy it. It’s cool how much you guys support sports here cause in my country nobody really cares. I definitely miss the prices back at home. I do not really miss my parents. The break is nice. I also miss the style. People here dress differently, it’s kind of weird. Back home people dress with style. The way you cannot drink until 21 is different cause at home you can drink at 16. But you can drive at 16 here but cannot drink. Just quite different from home.”
Senior Frans said, “I am from Norway. At first, I was pretty skeptical and nervous about Idaho. But surprisingly, I really like it. I definitely really like Chick-fil-A, and In-And-Out. My biggest culture shock was the people and their personalities. It’s way different from Norway. It is pretty hard to speak in English every day, all day. I find it pretty shocking that you can drive when you are 14-15 here. Thats pretty different from home. I miss my friends and family a lot from back home, but it still does not mean I am not enjoying myself out here.