Here comes Millie!

   by Sydney Peters 

Straight from Norway came Millie-Marie Hagen, one of many foreign exchange students. The foreign exchange program, as most know, is when a student from a foreign country transfers to America to live with a family here and attend the local school.  It is a new experience learning a new culture and language.

“My trip over here was good,” said Millie. “My flight tickets were upgraded to business class on my way to New York, so that was really good. I got better seats, bigger space, better food, and better service. The flight from Norway to New York took 8 hours. I stayed in New York for three days to do some sight-seeing and shopping with other exchange students. I was really nervous and excited on my way to Houston to meet my new family.  The flight from New York to Houston took five hours.”

“I like America very much.  It’s hot here – it usually snows this time of year in Norway – but it is a lot cheaper. Everyone’s very friendly. I love everything here – the people, the culture, the accent, and the food! I’ve made lots of friends. It’s different from Norway, but a good different. I’m having fun.”

Having come from Norway, Millie’s native language is Norwegian.

“It’s more expensive in Norway and we have a lot more healthcare there,” Millie said. “But we don’t have any activities or school mascots.”

“I wanted to go to a high school and learn the English language. I wanted to go to a school and do something different. I wanted to see the culture and have a long, full education.”

We have Camilla Hasselgard

   by Clariza Mercado 

Texan and Norwegian cultures are very different, from the atmosphere around you to the food you eat. Junior Camilla Hasselgard, changed her daily routine when she traveled 4,885 miles from Norway to Texas.

She is now one of the many foreign exchange students participating in activities in MWHS. She sings for the school’s choir, as well as taking part in dance class.

Something else about Camilla is that she has already visited Texas before, so it gave her an idea of what Texas life was going to be like.

“Americans are really nice and are always polite to one another,” Hasselgard said.

The climate, between Texas and Norway are completely opposites. She says that one of the things she likes about Texas is the heat.

“Back where I live it’s always cold so it’s nice having the warm heat around,” said Camilla.

Another thing different that is in her life is school. In Norway, Camilla’s home country school is not as strict as it is here. “Back where I live there isn’t as many rules to follow as there [are] here,” stated Camilla.

Camilla may be a long way from home, but she misses the Norwegian food along with her friends. Camilla also added that she has “made many friends while being here.” Her favorite food to eat in Texas is Panda Express.

Chiara Zillmer is here!

by Jarred Steinke 

Traveling thousands of miles away from family is hard for anyone. It is especially hard if you do not speak the native language very well where you are eventually going.

Chiara Zillmer is a foreign exchange student from Berlin Germany.

“I like it here in Texas,” Chiara Zillmer said.

Although she likes it here in Texas she states the education system is harder and there is way more fast food and trucks.

Chiara does cross country and has made lots of friends while living here.

And  Yui Shibata as well…

by Jarred Steinke

Yui Shibata is also one of our foreign exchange students but she is from a small town in Japan.   Yui says she likes Texas but everything is bigger.

The flight she took to the states was twelve hours and she understandably slept most of the way.

Education here is very different from Japan. In her town of Aichi, the teacher talks and they listen, memorize, and write down everything the teacher says in class.

Here in the United States we talk to our teachers and interact with other students. In Japan, they always eat rice and Miso soup with every meal.

Yui has made lots of friends here and does dance but she did not participate in sports in Japan.

Anne Snebang joins us!

 by Madison Ledesma-Garcia 

Texas being disliked for the unpredictable weather, junior Anne Snebang, a transfer student from Denmark came when the weather was scorching hot, the best time to be in Texas.

“Yeah America has turned out to be what I thought it would be like but my favorite part of being here so far is the heat,” Anne said.  Unlike Texas, in Denmark it is much colder and for Anne it feels nice. “It is cold and warm.”

The main difference from Denmark, is that the United States is much different in school and in general.  For Anne, classes in America are easier than the classes in her country.  Here we have seven different classes for the different subjects that we have the choices to pick from.

Although over there it is different. “No – we have one class for everything unlike here where we have seven.” After high school is over Anne has no plans for the future.

Anne said when visiting Denmark that we should not really expect anything to be different because it is just like America. Something we would think to be weird would be that no one over in her country uses facebook.  So for those who love facebook Denmark is not the country for you to visit.

Having to change cultures Anne must adjust to the differences in America. With this being said, this  leaves her with the decision that the food is okay but it is not as good as the food that they make over there in her home country. Her favorite food is a type of meat that she does not  really know how to describe it.

While visiting here Anne says that she does not really have a favorite food because, “We have a lot of the same foods.”

“I miss home a little bit,” said Snebang.  Anne loves to hang out with her friends, and her favorite outdoor activity is a trapeze.

She replied with, “Yeah, Americans are nice.” Coming all the way from Denmark she had to leave a lot of stuff behind like family, friends, school. So far being here has been okay for Anne but she has made very little friends.

Homecoming for us is a big thing from the mums to dances we decided that is the way to celebrate. Although in Denmark it is different.

“No, we have different kinds of parties.” Coming back to visit America will be a yes for her.