Introducing Foreign Exchange Students (September 1959)
NEIRAD enilno edition
Load printer friendly version
This year we at Darien High School are very fortunate in having three foreign exchange students on the AFS program stay in our town, as only one other high school in America has as many as three. They are John Goto from Tokyo, Japan; Madeline Stroje from Lanskrona, Sweden; and Mia Von Luttervett from Voorburg, Holland. We hope their answers to the questions we asked them in an informal interview last week will give you a better understanding of their countries, plus a little extra information on their personal lives.
John Goto
John was most impressed by the trees here in Darien, as in Tokyo where he lives with his mother, father and two brothers, trees are pretty scarce. He has taken almost six years of English. His school at home ONLY requires six subjects a year! When John returns he will have to complete two more terms of high school before his graduation. He hopes to go to the University of Tokyo and become a diplomat. “But,” he says, “it is the common ambition of Japanese schoolboys to enter the field of diplomacy, so--.” Dating is frowned upon by the students in Japan, but they do have parties in the form of get-togethers after school events. John likes all sports especially volleyball. Photography is one of his hobbies so gram him Neirad, before the Dariannus does!
Madeline Stroje
Madeline, a tall, light haired, attractive girl lives in the southern-most part of Sweden. When asked they typical interview question, “What were your first impressions of America”, she answered, “Oh, it’s too hot!” Then she added that Darien was so-o-o different from Swedish towns. “There is so much space here and it is like living in the country.” This seems ironical because last year, Hans Hoyer, one of our exchange students from Norway complained that Darien was so crowded. Madeline has had six years of English. In her school it is compulsory to take fourteen subjects per year. When she returns she will have two more years of study before college. She hopes to go to a university abroad. In Sweden single dating is not too common, but parties and school dances are held every Saturday and popular. Madeline likes all sports, but in particular, she enjoys riding, swimming, and skiing.
Mia Von Luttervett
Another tall and equally attractive feminine exchange student is Mia Von Luttervett from Holland. Mia was especially shocked by America’s hilly terrain, as Holland is relatively flat land. New York City seemed especially exciting to her at night, but she said it was just another city in the daytime when there were no lights. Mia has taken six years of English, six years of French, five years of German, four years of Latin, three years of Greek, and of course Dutch all her life. Now she is starting Spanish! Her school requires fourteen subjects per year. Whew! Mia skipped two years of school so she has been graduated. She hasn’t quite decided yet, however, whether she wants to go on to college or take special training to become a social worker. Dating is becoming more popular, but there is not much time for parties.
Mia has many hobbies including crafts, ceramics. Sports, girl guides, and playing guitar. The Royal Shades might be interested in an attractive addition to their group.
Click here to download the September 1959 Neirad
Don't miss Julia Lang's look at the newest transfer students to join DHS this fall - more than 50 years after the students featured in this archive "Blast" from the Past" departed. Catch her feature in the November issue of Neirad Enilno.
