Hagberg '24 Emma

From: Norrkoeping, Sweden

Current Grade: 11

Entered SSM: Grade 11

How did you end up attending SSM?

EMMA: I was supposed to be an exchange student at a public high school, but my organization gave me the opportunity to attend a boarding school which happened to be Shattuck-St. Mary's.

How are classes/education different here than in your home country?

EMMA: In my school back in Sweden, every day is different. For example, one day I have Swedish math and history and another day I'll have psychology and philosophy. Every day we would have the same people in every class, which helps you get closer to people. However, you kind of always stay with the same people and are never with anyone outside of the class. And in Sweden, the periods are longer. A normal period is at least an hour and the longest I used to have was two hours and 30 minutes. When we start high school we decide what we want to major in, which could either be study preparation (for college) or work preparation, where we can start to work right after high school with no college degree.

What has been your favorite class at SSM?

EMMA: Ethics, the class is very interesting and it really challenges you a lot. Also, AP Psychology because the teacher is very nice, really funny, and part Swedish.

What is the most surprising/weirdest/ interesting thing about living in the U.S.?

EMMA: Just the culture in general. People are different and everything is bigger, like buildings and cars. Also there is a lot more sun during the winter, we're lucky if we even see it during the winter months.

What are some of your favorite traditions/ customs from your culture?

EMMA: Midsummer, because we all get together, eat good food and just hang out with the people we love and care about.

What foods do you miss from home?

EMMA: Anything my grandma makes, and good coffee.

What is your favorite American food?

EMMA: Ms. Weaver's coffee and Ms. Jandro's cookies.

What has been the hardest adjustment you've had to make?

EMMA: The food, and how homework and school in general is very different. Also, living on my own and having people around constantly is a big difference, which can be both positive and negative.

What has been your favorite thing about your experience as an international student?

EMMA: Meeting all the other international students and traveling to different parts of the U.S.

What advice would you give to future international students at our School?

EMMA: Hang out in the library and get to know the librarian, she is pretty awesome.

Why did you choose to attend SSM?

ANGELA: I chose to attend SSM because my sister attended before me, and because I wanted to become a part of the Pre-Conservatory Center of Excellence so I could further work on my craft, the violin.

How are classes/education different here than in your home country?

ANGELA: Classes are very different here because you get to work more closely with your teachers. At home there are so many kids per class that teachers sometimes have to teach more than two subjects at a time. Also, the school day here is much longer, whereas at home we would end school at noon.

What has been your favorite class at SSM?

ANGELA: Music Theory. I love that we get to look closely at how music is made and how we can experiment with the resources the School offers us, such as the music studio.

What are some of your favorite traditions/ customs from your culture?

ANGELA: One of my favorite traditions at home is Semana Santa which translates to Holy Week, the week before Easter. The state where I'm from has a famous church called El Nazareno de Achaguas where a statue of Jesus carrying the cross can be seen. It is said that this statue has brought miracles to families in need and is a common place where children are baptized. I love this time because I get to be with my family and go to church with them.

What is the most surprising/weirdest/ interesting thing about living in the U.S.?

ANGELA: One surprising thing here is how convenient most things are, to the point where it is quite excessive, such as there being gadgets for anything you can imagine.

What foods do you miss from home?

ANGELA: I miss “Cachapas” with “queso de mano” the most. It was a food that I grew up eating in the state where I'm from, Apure. It's usually made fresh when the corn is seasonal, and is typically accompanied by fried pork.

What is your favorite American food?

ANGELA: Mac and cheese because of just how good it is! When I first came to America I actually did not like it, but the more I had it, the more I fell in love with the creamy cheese pasta.