Junior Ebba Liese, an exchange student from Sweden, went from living near the beach and surfing in Sweden to going to football games and becoming a cheerleader in America.
Liese’s father did an exchange year in Kansas when he was younger, inspiring her to follow in his footsteps. Liese and her family went to visit her dad’s previous host family and Liese loved her time in America. She decided she wanted to spend some time here, so being an exchange student was the perfect opportunity.
Liese started the application process to become an exchange student in America about three years ago. The process included an interview to evaluate her English proficiency and required her to write a letter discussing who she was. This was the letter that was sent out to different host families across America until she eventually found a host family that matched her.
When Liese first came to America she experienced a major culture shock but was able to adjust quickly. She decided to join cross country because she had missed tryouts for the other fall sports but still wanted an opportunity to meet people. Cross country helped her make new friends and feel more adjusted before school started in the fall. “When school started everything fell into place,” Liese said.
She was excited to get to experience an American high school that she had seen depicted in her favorite movies and shows. She was most excited to experience her first high school football game. “The football games were what I was most excited for because it is very American,” Liese said.
In the winter she also became a cheerleader. Before she came to America she had wanted to become a cheerleader to get the full American high school experience. She enjoyed her time on the team and cherished the team’s strong community.
Her experience of going to high school in Sweden is different from here. One of the main differences Liese noticed is that in Sweden you have to apply to high school and you get into a certain high school based on your grades like applying for college. Also in Sweden, they pick a major in high school; Liese’s major was psychology. Another difference she noted is “Everything is bigger in America,” Liese said.
Liese’s time here has allowed her to make close connections with people. Additionally, she was able to explore classes that interested her and focus energy on extracurriculars. She has been able to make close friends through sports and extracurriculars. “Ebba is such a great friend and I am so grateful that she is here that I was able to become close with her,” junior Eva Veizis said.
When Liese returns home to Sweden she will have to make up this year but for her, it was worth it. While she misses home and will be excited to go back, Liese is also grateful for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “She is amazing and I am glad she is here with us,” AP Psychology teacher Jennifer Bauer said.
