A+10 Sept. 1 - 14, 2007
Youth
www.SanTanSun.com
Exchange from Page 1
with Americans. Grand Canyon and California
“It’s much more high tempo and more serious and and many golf courses, and
everything here,” he says. the people are nice,” von der
Something he finds a little less intense, though, is Brelie explains.
American high school. Among those nice people,
“I would say the classes are harder in Sweden, like he says, are members of his
we get harder tests ... and we learn at a little higher host family.
tempo,” he says. “They’re very cool. I like
School in Sweden is also structured differently, he them and we do a lot together,
adds. and I’m happy about that,”
“We have a schedule where it’s 20 people who have he says. Going to movies and
the same schedule. You meet them and go together to playing miniature golf with
every class.” the Piirinens are among his
Some cultural adjustments for Larsson include favorite experiences thus far.
the Arizona heat and speaking the language, though Because sports are not STSN photo by Shannon Lista
linguistics help is available. part of Germany’s schools
HOSTS: Peitsa and Barbara Piirinen of The Provinces are hosting foreign exchange students
“My host dad, Pietsa, he knows Swedish too, so it’s either, Von der Brelie shares
Axel Larsson of Sweden and Michael von der Brelie of Germany, who are both seniors at
Chandler High School. The Piirinens have taken in 14 exchange students in eight years.
been really easy to get some translation.” Larsson’s affinity for American
The best things so far for Larsson include new high schools’ extracurricular
Working as a part-time area representative for the
experiences, seeing different places, meeting new activities. He is on Chandler High School’s swim team,
International Student Exchange, Piirinen also helps
people and Mexican food. He also gives the Chandler though his real skill is in tennis, he says. He won’t play
match other host families with students and vice
area a positive review. on American soil, though, as he will have returned to
versa. Host families do not get paid but do receive a
“It’s really nice. The people are friendly and Germany by the time spring semester’s tennis season
tax deduction, she says.
everything, so overall it’s good.” rolls around.
“Basically the kids come here with their own
Though Chandler High School is larger than his
insurance and they have a monthly stipend to cover
Fast friends, easier school than Germany school at home, things have been relatively easy for
school lunches, fees, supplies and things like that.
Meanwhile, von der Brelie, who has been to the von der Brelie.
Host parents, what they provide are room and board
United States on family vacations to New York and “School is easier than in Germany, and I’ve found
and love, support and guidance,” she concludes.
Florida, decided to be an exchange student for several friends very fast here,” he explains.
For more information on becoming a host family or
reasons.
an exchange student, visit www.iseusa.com.
“I wanted to improve my language, gain self- Hosting requires some love, more food
confidence, meet new friends and collect experiences,” Piirinen is happy to have both von der Brelie and Sharon Schnakenburg is a freelance reporter who can be
he says. Larsson staying in her home. “Other than buying a
reached at Sharon@SanTanSun.com.
Family influence was a factor in coming to Arizona. little more groceries every week, it’s really easy. We set
“I came here because my stepfather has been here, the rules, what their chores are, what their curfew is,
and he said it was very interesting, that the weather was pretty much like you would do with your own kids. So
good, that there are a lot of things to do here like the they know what our expectations are,” she says.
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