Kristine Pettersen
What country are you originally from?
Norway
How does the culture in North Carolina differ from where you’re from?
The people are more open and easier to get to know
What is the biggest obstacle when it comes to the language barrier?
Well I have been learning it since I was four so I could speak English fluently when I came here
3a. What other languages do you speak?
Norwegian
What was is like learning English as a second language?
I have been listening to a lot of English music which made it easier
How are the teaching styles different between here and where you’re from?
Well it’s more communicative with the students
5a. Which do you prefer?
Maybe here because in Norway I would stay with one class the whole day so here I get to see more people everyday
What made you want to participate in a foreign exchange program?
I wanted to experience the American culture, improve my English and meet new people
What’s your favorite place that you’ve visited while staying here?
Biltmore
Guilherme Montesseli Fonseca
What country are you originally from?
Brazil
What is the biggest obstacle when it comes to the language barrier?
The accent
2a. What other languages do you speak?
Portuguese
How are the teaching styles different between here and where you’re from?
I think in my country they explain more and here they just leave you to do the exercise
What’s your favorite place that you’ve visited while staying here?
New York city
What interests you most about American pop culture?
The music
Alice Blachier
What country are you originally from?
France
How does the culture in North Carolina differ from where you’re from?
Okay, so the schools are really different; here you have teams and activities after school and you can talk to teachers during lunch. You have fast food which we don’t have. In Europe we walk and ride bikes and we don’t always use the car and we have a lot more buses. Everything is bigger here.
What is the biggest obstacle when it comes to the language barrier?
Speaking trying my accent was really strong so it was hard for people to understand me
3a. What other languages do you speak?
Spanish and French
What was is like learning English as a second language?
At school in France it was really easy and when I came here it was really hard
What made you want to participate in a foreign exchange program?
I went home from school and said “I want to go somewhere” and one of my friends did it before too.
What’s your favorite place that you’ve visited while staying here?
Hawaii