Spring Lake High School hosts many foreign exchange students every year, from all over the world. Some students live here for a semester, others a year.
But Agnes Vanemo is different. Her family moved this summer to Spring Lake from Sweden, and she is a freshman this year. The Laker Anchor recently sat down with Agnes to learn more about what it’s like to live in Sweden and how school differs there from Spring Lake.
Most of us get to school in the morning by driving or taking the bus. Agnes and most people at her old school get there by train. Agnes said that she was surprised that many people in Spring Lake have never even been on a train, when it used to be an everyday practice for her.
Another thing Agnes noticed that was different from Sweden was the clothes worn at Spring Lake. She said that in Sweden, everyone dressed up a bit more, and students didn’t wear PJs or comfortable outfits to school.
Lunch tends to be a favorite part of many students’ day, but it’s very different at Spring Lake than in Sweden. Agnes said that at her old school, they were given an hour to have lunch, and they could leave campus. She and her friends would leave everyday to eat a variety of foods, lots consisting of potatoes. Agnes said she really likes lunch at Spring Lake because of all of the options compared to Sweden.
Here at Spring Lake High School, common sports played are lacrosse, basketball, football, and volleyball. In Sweden, Agnes said popular sports were soccer, floorball, handball, and ice hockey. She also was surprised about the “seasons” for sports because, in Sweden, her sports, soccer and gymnastics, were primarily played year-round.
Every day at Spring Lake we have the same five classes (except on seminar days). In Sweden, that’s not the case. Agnes explained to the Anchor that she went to different classes everyday, and she didn’t get to choose them. In Sweden they didn’t get electives like at Spring Lake. Agnes took a variety of required classes that include music, art, German, Swedish, math, home economics, and much more.
Moving across the world can be hard. Agnes experiences many differences daily, but we can make it easier for her by being kind and welcoming. We are lucky to have her in our Spring Lake family!
