By: Ethan Rutter

Eva Nagel is a senior at Springfield High School from The Netherlands. She is part of the District International Exchange and is one of the many students who get to travel across the country and live in another country for some time. I have personally been able to meet many of the residents who have come to our school in the last couple years. Kids from Spain, Taiwan, Holland, Germany, Portugal, Italy, and a couple other countries, have all been able to experience this complete culture change. 

I interviewed Eva this October and asked her about the similarities and differences of our two countries. Eva’s experience first getting to America was very hectic. First, her plane was delayed due to weather conditions causing her to have to wait almost two and a half hours for the next flight. Once she finally got on the plane, it was not headed straight to Springfield but to New York. Eva was able to visit historical monuments inside of New York and was able to go to one of the top floors of the empire state building. She was able to look out over the skyline and said that she “had never seen a more beautiful city.” 

Once Eva finally arrived in Illinois on the plane from New York, it was far from the normal routine the past students had to go through. After saying bye to her family, cats, and her dog, Eva landed in Illinois on Aug. 13, at 12:30am. When she finally got out of the airport, she then had a two hour car ride. to. Her arrival was highly anticipated, but the hosts mother suffered a major medical emergency. Due to this, Eva had to go stay with a certified member of the organization she came through for a couple days. Finally, Eva was able to come to the place she will call home for the next 10 months. 

Eva has been in America for a few months now and has seen many unique American attractions. Curious about her thoughts regarding America, I asked what was the biggest difference between our two countries. She explained that the differences were not that significant. Exclusive American celebrations obviously are not celebrated in the European world. However, the celebrations for holidays such as New Years and Christmas are even more spectacular and extravagant. While we have The Big Apple ball-drop, the Dutch peoples have blocked off streets almost all the way around the country. Parties rage through the streets with thousands of people gathering to see the new year. Santa Claus is not a large holiday figure we Americans picture during the Christmas season. Instead, Saint Nicholas is the main symbol of Christmas cheer. Presents are given out on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day is a time for reconciliation and prayer. 

Next, I asked Eva to identify one of the biggest differences between the US was. Eva said “the people here are way more social and actually talk to you.” She explained that school is way easier in America, which seemed to be a common theme with the exchange students. Eva began in an intermediate 334 Math. At this time she is taking Algebra 2 with Mrs. Mcdonald. Ms. Correa, an art teacher at Springfield High, noticed a spark in Eva that she sees in her students. The two of them are now, “besties,” according to Eva. She has really found a liking to most of the people she has been able to meet throughout this young school year. 

She also decided to mention the food. Eva started by saying “American food is not comparable to The Netherlands.” These could be considered fighting words if said to the wrong person. I decided to ask what makes her think Dutch food is so much better than American food. Eva said the American food is not made with love like her own mothers cooking. She told me the fast food restaurants we run to when we are in a hurry, just aren’t as common of an option. Instead they have things called snack bars where you select the food and the chef cooks it in front of you. However, Eva made a Dutch apple pie and I can personally report that American apple pie tops it by far. 

Finally, I asked Eva about some of her favorite things about her experience here. She responded that the friends and people she has met have already changed her life a lot. The school environment is so much more social, and she gets to ride in a car to school instead of a bike. Back in The Netherlands, Eva bikes 14 miles to and from school every day, “I hated riding in the wind because I always get pushed the whole time,” Eva said. Cars and bikes are very interchangeable in The Netherlands. Special bike lanes aside from the street are on many of the roads. 

Eva has found a second home in America and has really enjoyed her experience here. Our two cultures are very similar in most perspectives which shows that people can be the same wherever they are.