OC HIGH: STUDENT NEWS & VIEWS : Exchange Gifts : Foreign Students Who Study Here Learn About the U.S. and Share Information About Their Native Lands

When foreign exchange students come to this country, they have to leave friends behind, learn a different culture and language, adapt to a new environment and go to a school where they have to make new friends--not to mention live with people they hardly know. It can be an intimidating decision.

Why, then, do so many students from other countries visit the United States annually through exchange programs?

Some, such as Magda Sehnalova from the Czech Republic, want to learn firsthand about a place she has heard so much about. Others, such as Frank Kaiser from Germany, hope to perfect their English.

Have you ever wondered what life as a teen-ager would be like in a different country?

In countries all over the world, students start learning a foreign language--often English--long before reaching high school. Imagine school six days a week with up to 13 classes a semester. While this may be unheard of in the United States, it is common practice in other areas of the world.

In separate interviews, four exchange students spending a year in Orange County shared some of their opinions on the differences between being a teen-ager here and in their native countries.

CECILIA ANDERSON

Country: Sweden Age: 17 High School: Fountain Valley

Q: What was your impression of America before you came here?

A: In Sweden, we get all the American TV shows like “Roseanne,” “Melrose Place,” “The Cosby Show” and “Arsenio Hall,” so a lot of our ideas about America come from these shows. Before I came here, I thought Americans were all fat people who ate burgers and drank Cokes.

Q: What were the first things you noticed when you came to California?

A: It was a real big culture shock. Everything here is so big, like the parking lots and freeway lanes. All the stuff is really cheap, too. In Sweden, a Big Mac costs $4! The best part about America is seeing people from all different cultures living together. That is very impressive.

Q: What was something that you were surprised to see in America?

A: I was really surprised to see how nudity is censored here, but not violence. In Sweden, we censor the violence and allow nudity on television, magazines, newspapers, etc. We have less crime.

Q: How are American teen-agers different than in Sweden?

A: Teen-agers are so open with each other. They are very nice and easy to talk to. Swedes are very quiet, shy and reserved, but they are also more open-minded.

Q: How is dating in America different than in Sweden?

A: In America, dating is very complicated. In Sweden, if you kiss somebody, that means you are going out with that person. Instead of going out on dates, we go out in big groups to dance clubs and parties.

Q: How are relationships with parents?

A: Swedish parents are very open-minded. If you have a boyfriend, you are allowed to spend time with him, alone, in your bedroom. Parents realize when you are mature and independent. When they see you can take care of yourself, they let you make more decisions. Things like teen-age pregnancies are not very common in Sweden, as compared to America, because teen-agers are able to talk to their parents about contraceptives and things like that. We are very well-informed and open with our parents.

MAGDA SEHNALOVA

Country: Czech Republic High School: Aliso Niguel

Q: Why did you want to study in America?

A: I decided to visit the U.S. to learn English and to learn about the culture. In Europe, we talk about America all the time, but nobody knows who the American people really are. I wanted to find out. Everybody in my country thinks it is great because of all the American movies they watch. They love the movie stars, but that’s all they see about America.

Q: How are teen-agers in the Czech Republic different from the ones here?

A: In my country, the teen-agers are not as friendly. They are not very open to making new friends. In my school you are with the same 30 students for six hours a day, five days a week, and all four years throughout high school. We do not change classes like we do here. This is why it is hard to meet other people. We do not have sport teams or clubs at school.

Q: What kind of government is the Czech Republic?

A: We are a democracy just like America, but we have only been like this since 1989. Five years ago, our country had a revolution. We switched from communism to a democracy.

We have had many changes in the past few years. For example, in school we used to learn about communism and the Russian language. We never learned about other countries or things that did not relate to Russia.

After the revolution, we were allowed to learn English. I have been taking the language for three years. Before the revolution, families were not allowed to believe in religion, because it went against community principles. Today, my parents are Christians.

My dad also owns a firm, which was not possible before 1989, because the government owned everything. Now, (the government) just own things like the railroads.

FRANK KAISER

Country: Germany Age: 18 High School: El Dorado

Q: How is your school system different from the one in America?

A: Our school system is really different. In Germany, teachers change classes, not students.

We don’t have electives until the 11th grade. We get 13 classes a semester. Not all classes meet every single day. Every second Saturday we have to go to school for four hours, but that’s only in the “Gymnasium,” which is the highest out of three high-school levels. We have the “Hauptschule,” which is the lowest level, and the “Realschule,” which is the middle.

Instead of grading from A to F, we have grades from 1 to 6--1 being the best. We have 13 years of school when we go through the “Gymnasium,” then you can go to the University. If you decide to go to a university, the government will pay your admission fee.

Q: Why did you want to become an exchange student?

A: I like to learn about different cultures. I have been to Russia, England, France, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Holland and many other countries.

Most of the people who live in Europe travel a lot. That is probably why we know more about the world around us, as compared to Americans.

I wanted to learn about the daily life in an American family. I also wanted to come to America to perfect my English, because it will help me get a job.

Q: How would you describe the political situation in Germany today?

A: Germany is still going through a lot of changes because of the unification between East and West Germany in 1991.

It was like two different worlds coming together. Turning from socialism to a democracy was difficult for East Germans. They were not used to the freedoms and liberties, which are taken for granted in America.

MARCELLA BARBOSA

Country: Brazil Age: 16 High school: Villa Park

Q: Do you think teen-agers are different here?

A: I think they are different in some ways but, deep down, teen-agers have similar problems here and in Brazil. People in Brazil don’t care how you dress like they do here.

Q: What differences do you see between the countries? How is the Brazilian government different from America’s?

A: In Brazil, there is a lot of corruption. The politicians know the rain forests are being destroyed, but they are paid off by the lumberers, so they don’t say anything.

The government is similar to America because they pay for public education, but the schools aren’t good. Those who can afford it go to private schools, which are usually in the city. The opportunities teen-agers have to go to school and be involved are greater in America. In Brazil, if you want to play a sport you have to pay for it.

Q: How is family life different in Brazil than in America?

A: There aren’t as many divorces in Brazil as compared to America. Families in Brazil are closer.

Q: What are the youth of Brazil mainly concerned about?

A: Our generation is more worried about the political problems. Brazil just impeached a president. Right now we have no future leadership.

Young students know a lot about world events. American students only know about America. They aren’t very aware of the world around them.