Sophia Doering

by Vanessa McMurray

February 02, 2010

What inspired you to become a foreign exchange student? I always wanted to go to the USA to experience the American life they show in the movies. I just couldn't belief that it would be like this so I wanted to figure it out. That and the fact that I wanted to improve my English were the reasons for me to come to the USA.

What is the strangest/most fun experience you've had since you were here? In my first week after I arrived, I was really confused by the mentality of some people. People I had never met before hugged me and told me how happy they were that I was finally here. That was strange to me. The most fun experiences I have had have been with all of these American kids. I also noticed that Americans eat a LOT!

What is the one thing you want to take back to Germany with you that you have learned in America? When I go back I want to keep in touch with all these awesome people I have met. I hope I don't forget all the English again, first I have to learn German again. :)

Can you tell us about your country? Germany is located in middle Europe near the Baltic and Northern Sea. We have 82 million people and our president is a woman. We aren't allowed to drive cars until we are 18 but we can legally drink at the age of 16. The rest of the rules are not very much different from the USA. We drive on the same side of the road, we eat at Burger King, McDonalds, Subway, and so on. We listen to American music (in English) as well as European music. We have mostly the same holidays (except the political ones). And we don't eat sauerkraut all the time, and YES we have snow! Also, since someone asked me, NO we don't have tigers and lions anywhere but the zoo!

Do you ever get homesick? Sometimes in the evening, or when I wake up and think I would wake up in my room back home and then open my eyes and I'm not.

What do you do with your free time here? I noticed that you don't have a lot of free time in the USA. I'm normally in school for forever and then there is practice or a game or something. On the weekend I go over to friends' houses and hang out or do stuff with my host family.

Sophia Doering

Date	Subject	Posted by:
02/03/2010	I really enjoyed reading this interview. It reminds me of my own time @ DOHS 2 years ago. Sounds like you have a lot of fun over there, Sophia. Keep it that way! Since I will be over for graduation in May, we might meet eachother. Yours Marc	Marc Bureck Bremen, Germany