by Tyler Erickson, GHS Blue Ink
With Garretson having a couple foreign exchange students every year for the last few years, Blue Dragons have gotten used to spurts of different cultures joining the school.
This year Garretson has two foreign exchange students. One of those students is Marieke Salomon. Marieke is from Germany and is staying in South Dakota for this first semester.
When it comes to school in Germany, there are a few differences including the content being much more difficult and taught at a faster pace. Also with their school system, they don’t have any extracurricular activities, they just have school. Any extra sports are after the school day and are clubs within their community, not connected to the school system.
That was a change for Marieke as were the sports offered. In Germany Marieke participated in handball, but that is not a sport offered here so she tried something new, soccer.
In order to stay caught up with her classmates while in South Dakota, Marieke is still studying her German schooling content in addition to completing all her American classes.
When it comes to Marieke’s favorite things, her favorite snack is Cheetos. But her favorite food is anything her dad makes, “I love all his food,” said Salomon.
Salomon’s pleasant personality and willingness to get involved in the school has been a bright spot in the Garretson hallways this year.
Once a blue dragon, always a blue dragon.
