Foreign study is a change of pace

KARLICA

<B>What is your name?</B>

<I>Jelena Karlica.</I>

Where are you from?

<I>A beautiful country in Southern Europe called Serbia.</I>

<B>What grade are you in?</B>

<I>A senior in America and a junior in Serbia.</I>

<B>What did you expect before you came to Anderson?</B>

<I>I thought it was going to be like I imagined it. But, my country is a lot different from America.</I>

<B>What is different in America compared to Serbia?</B>

<I>Mostly everything. We have the same kind of usual stuff like technology, cars, etc. But, what surprised me the most is teenage life and education. In Serbia, teenagers socialize with their friends more and spend time together. The difference is we don't spend a lot of time in cars. We usually go for long walks through the city, visit cafes and have fun.</I>

What is your high school like in Serbia?

<I>Well, I go to a Philological high school, Karlovci Grammar School. It is a school specialized for the study of languages. We have 16 subjects. We don't have electives. We take other subjects like physics, chemistry, math, biology, informatics...etc. I like education in America. I like the educational system but I think students should take more classes, should know the basics from every subject, even though they may not use it later in life, and should concentrate more on education.</I>

<B>What do you like most about education in America?</B>

<I>School clubs and how there are a lot of different ways to participate in activities.</I>

<B>What made you want to be a foreign exchange student?</B>

<I>Well, I am a very communicative person. I thought it was going to be fun and a huge experience because I like meeting new cultures. It's a big deal when you get a chance to go thousands of miles away from your home when you're 16. You have to be a strong person to make that step.</I>

<B>How do you think the foreign exchange program will affect the rest of your life?</B>

<I>Well, I want to be an ambassador. I'm actually doing that job now, as a foreign exchange student. I think this is going to be one more big step in my life.</I>

<B>What is your favorite American food?</B>

<I>I'm completely delighted with Mexican and Chinese food. I adore burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas.</I>

<B>What sports, if any, did you play in Serbia? Are you planning on playing any in America?</B>

<I>My favorite sports are table tennis and shooting. I will do shooting here, too and I'm happy to be included in almost every club at school. I just finished my swim season and now I will do soccer and shooting.</I>

<B>What activities are you involved in outside of school?</B>

I'm a juror at Peer Court and I do a lot of other volunteering and hanging out and having fun with my friends.