By Sarah Jacques
Round Table editor-in-chief
From the controversial issue of socialism to universally known rock bands such as the Klaxons, the students from the Danish school Alssundgymnasiete Sønderborg have already made quite an impact on Middletown High School in the past through interesting conversation, as well as their fascinating social customs and easy friendliness.
This year, MHS has arranged host families for the students, teachers have organized their schedules to include interactions with the Danish teenagers, and the school has made every effort to make sure the students will feel warmly welcomed. All that is left is for the Danish students to “cross the pond” on Friday, Oct. 8.
The students will spend a fun-filled weekend with their host family as they get a taste of America. The host families are planning on taking their students to a variety of places, including the Prime Outlets and malls for shopping. “The average price of jeans in Denmark is around $150,” says Stacy MacMillan, organizer of the Danish exchange program at MHS, “so the Danish students are very excited to shop for cheaper items in America.”
On Monday, the Danish students will lead presentations to many classes about subjects ranging from the Danish royal family to sports in Denmark. “By presenting topics, the Danish students allow teachers to connect their curriculum to what is being taught about a different culture,” says MacMillan. For example, a presentation will be given to social studies teacher William Muldoon’s AP World History class about World War II, a war that included both American and Danish influences.
The following day, the Danish students will attend the classes of their host student. They not only will learn about American high schools, but in some cases will experience the out-of-school opportunities MHS students are allowed. For instance, senior Megan Rigby, host of Danish student Ida, will take her to Rigby’s internship at Fort Detrick.
The Danish students will depart from Middletown early Wednesday morning for Washington, D.C., where they will complete the final leg of their trip with a visit to the nation’s capitol. Afterward, the students will return to their home of Sønderborg, Denmark.
The opportunity to exchange cultural knowledge with teens from a different country led many MHS students to host a Danish student.
“From my perspective, the kids here are so excited to have the Danish students come and share their culture,” says MacMillan.
The MHS students are certainly eager for the Danes to come to America, and are already getting to know their students. “[The MHS students] have been in communication through Facebook and email, but are excited to meet in person,” says MacMillan.
“I’m so excited to meet my Danish students and have been talking to them nonstop on Facebook since the day I got their names. I have already learned many new things about their schools and government,” says host student and MHS junior Kate Bittle.
The excitement buzzing throughout MHS certainly shows how enthusiastic the community is toward the prospect of international students coming to learn about American customs. Undoubtedly, this year’s interaction with the Danes will be like the past years’: full of learning, laughing, and friendship
