by Nika Sapunar Blue Ink
The journalism class interviewed Nika Sapunar, foreign exchange student from Croatia, about her choice to come to the United States for a year of schooling as well as comparisons between her home and here.
Q: What is different about school here and in Croatia?
A: Schools are very different here. For example in Croatia we have 15 subjects all year and we need to study for every class, but here you have 6/7 classes. It’s easy and better because you don’t need to study for so much. But I think what we learn in Croatia is more important for life because we don’t learn things in details like here. But we don’t have school sports like here.
Q: What’s the difference in sports?
A: Sports are very different. Here you have seasonal sports and you play sports at school but in Croatia you have all sports during all year and we just have clubs.
Q: Do you have a dress code?
A: Some schools have dress code and it is strict, but some of them don’t care until your grades are good.
Q: Do you have lunch at school? Is it different?
A: Lunches are very different. We don’t have lunch at school, we just have 20 minutes break in which we can go to bakery or just chill in a classroom. Some schools have lunch but they are very different and there are not many schools that have it (and if they do, you don’t have so much choice).
Q: Why would you come to US?
A: I came in USA because I wanted to learn English and learn more about USA culture and people.
Q: Do you like it here?
A: I like it here. It’s different for sure but for now I think I like it. (People are very different but I should get used to it I guess ?)
Q: What’s the prices like here and there?
A: Prices here are for some things lower than in Croatia and for some things more expensive.
Q: What did you know about the US before you came here?
A: Before I came here I knew some- things but I didn’t expect for people to be so nice and kind.
Q: How long are you here and how does it makes you feel?
A: I am here until May. For 9 months, and I am just trying to think positive and have fun while I can.
