Danish students arrived in Asheville on Oct. 7 during their trip to the U.S. to explore the culture and lifestyle of an average American teenager.
The Danish student exchange program began about 10 years ago and has continued to grow throughout the years. Students in Denmark who are part of the program go to school at Ronde Gymnasium where they study American history, government and culture. During their senior year, the students get the chance to experience America for themselves through a two-week trip, which includes their time in Asheville.
The trip begins with a tour of Washington, D.C., to see first-hand how America’s government works. The students then head to Asheville to meet their host families and observe the local lifestyles of American teenagers as compared to their own. During their stay in Asheville, host families are encouraged to take their Danish visitors on hikes, to visit downtown and do basically what they would normally do everyday.
One of the highlights of the trip typically involves the chance to experience a taste of classic American cuisine.
“They like to eat American junk food. They love to go to KFC and have the fried chicken experience,” Stephanie Lindsey said. Lindsey, who has worked with the program for over five years, served as the director this year.
Danish students in the program commented on the differences between their own culture and America, from the currency to public spaces.
Sophomore Amber Gay and her family hosted Amalie Rasmussen while she stayed in Asheville. One of the differences Rasmussen noticed was how different the public restrooms were.
“[The Danes] found it really fascinating that our bathrooms are so public. They said they could see through the cracks and see over doors. It was really weird (to me) that they have more inclosed bathrooms in Denmark,” Gay said.\
Sophomore Maddy Churchill participated with the Danish student exchange program as a host for a second year and plans on continuing next fall as well. She decided to adopt a Danish student last year to learn about a different culture and teach her exchange student about her own.
For sophomore Madison Bode, this was her first year hosting a Danish student. Before meeting her student, Sofie Deichgraeber, Bode believed Deichgraeber’s personality would clash with her own but found their personalities to be more in common then she previously thought.
“You basically gain a friend, a family member, for a week. At the end, when you go to leave, it’s always the saddest because you've gained a sibling for a week,” Lindsey said.
The Danish student exchange program began about 10 years ago and has continued to grow throughout the years. Students in Denmark who are part of the program go to school at Ronde Gymnasium where they study American history, government and culture. During their senior year, the students get the chance to experience America for themselves through a two-week trip, which includes their time in Asheville.
The trip begins with a tour of Washington, D.C., to see first-hand how America’s government works. The students then head to Asheville to meet their host families and observe the local lifestyles of American teenagers as compared to their own. During their stay in Asheville, host families are encouraged to take their Danish visitors on hikes, to visit downtown and do basically what they would normally do everyday.
One of the highlights of the trip typically involves the chance to experience a taste of classic American cuisine.
“They like to eat American junk food. They love to go to KFC and have the fried chicken experience,” Stephanie Lindsey said. Lindsey, who has worked with the program for over five years, served as the director this year.
Danish students in the program commented on the differences between their own culture and America, from the currency to public spaces.
Sophomore Amber Gay and her family hosted Amalie Rasmussen while she stayed in Asheville. One of the differences Rasmussen noticed was how different the public restrooms were.
“[The Danes] found it really fascinating that our bathrooms are so public. They said they could see through the cracks and see over doors. It was really weird (to me) that they have more inclosed bathrooms in Denmark,” Gay said.\
Sophomore Maddy Churchill participated with the Danish student exchange program as a host for a second year and plans on continuing next fall as well. She decided to adopt a Danish student last year to learn about a different culture and teach her exchange student about her own.
For sophomore Madison Bode, this was her first year hosting a Danish student. Before meeting her student, Sofie Deichgraeber, Bode believed Deichgraeber’s personality would clash with her own but found their personalities to be more in common then she previously thought.
“You basically gain a friend, a family member, for a week. At the end, when you go to leave, it’s always the saddest because you've gained a sibling for a week,” Lindsey said.