An Exchange Student in the USA
Karoline spent a term
in an American high school. In this interview she shares some of her
experiences with us.
- In the USA did you belong
to a class like you do here?
KAROLINE: No, there were
different students in the classroom for every new subject. The timetable
was the same every day. We had eight lessons one after the other with the same
subjects every day. It was very different from what I was used to, but there
was one good thing about it. After a couple of days I knew it by heart!
- Was there anything else
that was very different from our system?
KAROLINE: After school there
were different sports activities you could take part in. I did cross
country running. We were running in the woods most of the time. These activities
lasted for about two hours.
- Did you actually
run for two hours every day?
KAROLINE: Oh no! Of course
we did some running, but it was the social side of it that was most important.
I made friends with the others in my group. Foreign students had to join a sports
activity to get friends. Some of them only knew three or four people after a
whole year!
- Did you try other sports?
KAROLINE: I also tried cheer
leading, but that group was nothing for me! I didn’t fit in there. "Oh
gosh, I broke a nail!" was a typical comment in that group.
- What were the most typical
sports for girls?
KAROLINE: Well, in addition
to cross country, field hockey and cheer leading there were gymnastics,
swimming, basket and track and field. And skiing in the wintertime.
- Did you watch any American
football?
KAROLINE: They just call
it football. None of the girls in my school played it. Our team was not good,
but I went to a game once. My friends explained it to me. After
an hour or so I started to understand what was going on.
- How was social life in
school?
KAROLINE: Very different
from here. There were many different groups and they were all very exclusive.
This meant that you hung out with the same people all the time. In a
way sports played a very important part of your social life at school as well
as outside.
- What was acceptable to
wear?
KAROLINE: Well, you bought
a pair of baggy jeans. They were something in between trainers
and jeans. If you wore a pair of tight trousers, they
would stare at you.
- What did you wear?
KAROLINE: I used the clothes
I brought with me. I think they found me a little different, but I didn’t care.
KAROLINE: Several.
Mini skirts, low necked tops and tops that showed your midriff.
However, the rules at the neighboring school were even stricter. Bare
legs were banned, that’s why shorts were forbidden. The same went for sleeveless
garments like singlets.
- What do you think about dress
codes like these?
KAROLINE: Not much, to be frank!
- Do you consider the Americans
to be more conservative than us?
KAROLINE: Well, there is a 21-year
age limit on alcohol. Instead there were so many drugs available
both at private parties and on the school premises.
- You were offered drugs?
KAROLINE: Yes, but I just told
them I was not interested.
- Did you learn much during the
lessons?
KAROLINE: There was more homework.
The timetable was repeated every day the whole term through. That’s
why the learning process was much more concentrated in a way.
- How was the teaching?
KAROLINE: Very little group work.
The chairs are attached to the tables so furniture cannot be moved around easily.
The teachers were talking most of the time. I found that rather boring in the
beginning.
- How were the textbooks?
KAROLINE: We had very few. In half
of the subjects we had none. The ones we needed we borrowed at school.
I have learned to underline and take notes in my textbooks, but these were spotless!
Our homework was based on the notes we took. In addition we were asked to go
to Internet addresses for information. Everybody had Internet at home. In the
classroom too!
- How did you like that?
KAROLINE: Well, every classroom
had a computer and all other equipment for teaching installed. The
teachers used power point when lecturing! It was very effective. I liked it.
Every classroom was like a well-furnished office, even with a telephone.
- Do you think this is the usual
standard?
KAROLINE: I lived in a wealthy
area, I think it was above the usual standard. The family I lived with
had four cars for five family members!
- Why did you want to go to an
American high school? KAROLINE: Some of my friends have been there before. In
addition I wanted a change. I have always liked to travel and to learn
about different cultures and languages.
KAROLINE: I have learned to adjust
to a different school system and a new family. I had to learn to accept
others and as a reward I have got new friends. On top of that I
know English a lot better.
- Would you recommend doing what
you have done?
KAROLINE: Yes, I will. All in all
I have benefited a lot more than expected.