The Danish have arrived at Middletown High School, and are staying with MHS students and local families. During their visit at MHS they are giving informational meetings to students in classrooms and in the auditorium. Even though they live many miles away, their lifestyles as teenagers are still similar to ours. However, have no doubt about it, many of their ways are different. Some of the normal teenage things that we do they also do, but in different ways.

At their high school in Denmark, they have about 417 people in their school; MHS has more than twice the amount. Schooling is required for ages six to 16. High school is only three years compared to our four. Christina, a senior at her school in Denmark, is going to a University next year. Just like in the U.S., you have to apply to Universities. One of the things that are the same is that your grades determine what you do after school. Grades are very important in determining your career path.

Many people in Denmark find fashion important in life. Many of them shop at designer stores like Marc Jacobs, Dolce and Gabana, and Banana Republic. Skinny jeans are also very fashionable right now in Denmark, like they are here in the United States.

“My favorite thing about the U.S is the cheap clothes.” said Christina.

One of the biggest issues in our society is the presidential election; in Denmark they have their own opinions about the election and many different issues that surround their own election. Many Europeans like Obama because he reflects more of a socialist government, similar to Denmark’s. Presidential elections in Denmark are like those in the U.S, just not as serious. The voting age is the same as ours, 18. Main issues in Denmark surround welfare and taxes.

One of the biggest differences about Denmark and the U.S is healthcare, which also happens to be one of the biggest issues surrounding our presidential election. In Denmark they have universal healthcare; anyone can go to the doctors when they need to. But because they have universal healthcare, the taxes in Denmark are much higher than they are here. You could be paying anywhere from 39 percent to 61 percent in income taxes, while the U.S average is about 20 percent. Many Danish factories have moved to other countries because of high taxes. However, the benefit of universal health care means not having to pay for health insurance or medical procedures.

Yet another issue that is affecting the U.S is also effecting Denmark is the economic crisis. Some businesses have gone bankrupt.

“The crisis is not affecting our stocks as much because in Denmark we have a group that budgets the banks,” said one of the students Trine

The laws in Denmark are not as strict as U.S laws. There is no signs in public places that discourage smoking or drinking because school’s trust the students not to do those things. Those types of things are frowned upon in Denmark. One big difference from one of our laws is their gun policy. In the U.S we are allowed to personally own guns for our household and for hunting but, in Denmark it is illegal to own guns for private ownership. There is also no life in prison or no capital punishment.

Many Danes don’t use or have their own car because it’s too expensive to drive. The cost of gas in Denmark is anywhere from $7 to $8 a gallon, so many use public transportation to get around. They are also doing a lot to help the environment. There are constrictions on cars because they are not environmentally friendly; that is one reason the gas is so high to influence people to take public transportation.

Even though we may live miles away from each other and live in completely different worlds, we are all still teenagers and have many things in common and still hold the same interests.