Ane Strugstad Maere was born on July 8th, 1996 in Steinkjer, Norway a city of about 20,000 people that has a similar climate to that of Chardon’s. Ane explained to me that she wasn’t fazed by our polar vortex, “we get about the same amount of snow as Chardon every year in Steinkjer, so I’ve seen it a lot.” In Ane’s hometown, it would only take about fifteen minutes or less to walk to anything from the movie theater, mall, pool, bowling alley, gym, school, to the sea from the comfort of her own home. She misses her friends and family who are back in Steinkjer, like her only sister, Eva, who is now 21.
“My school in Norway is about the same size as Chardon, but high school is from 11th to 13th grade so most people are older than the students here,” Ane recalls. Here at Chardon, one of her favorite classes is Psychology.
“I really like Psychology because it’s not one of those classes you have to study a lot for, you just have to think logically,” she told me. “I also like French because I like learning foreign languages!”
AFS advisor, Señora Neumann, explains, “Ane seems to have adjusted smoothly and well; she fits right in. Ane seems to be focused and she makes an effort to do well.”
Norwegian is Ane’s first language, which is very similar to Swedish and Danish which she can also speak. “I’ve taken English since second grade as well, along with French since eighth grade.”
This is what first sparked her interest in America, and the culture inspired her to join the AFS program. “I’ve always love traveling, and I wanted to learn more about American culture.” So far, her experience here has nothing but positive reviews. The people especially have had a big impact on how well her stay has been in America.
“Norwegian culture is quite similar to American culture, but in Norway most people just stick to their groups and don’t really open up to other people,” Ane explained. “Here, people sometimes just have a conversation with people they don’t know, while in Norway we never do that. I think it’s kind of nice though, strangers seem a lot more friendly and approachable here.”
While in America, Ane is trying new things and trying to experience as much as she can on her stay. Including new food places: “I love Chipotle! It’s different from anything I’ve had before, but it’s so good.” Also, new sports, “Here at Chardon I’ve done cross country and plan on doing track; compared to back in Norway where I played soccer and competed in skiing.” And of course, the local attractions: “Going to Cedar Point was amazing, probably my favorite thing I’ve done here so far!”
Ane lives in Chardon with Senior Anna Kimborowicz and the rest of her host family and is very thankful to be staying with them. Going to Chardon with Anna has been filled with some great times and wonderful people.
“I really like it here! The people are so nice and all the spirit days are a lot of fun,” Ane told me. “I really liked all the girls on the cross country team with me and I enjoyed being on their team so much!”
When Ane returns back home to Norway she will have to complete one more year of high school before going off to college. “I’m planning on studying psychology in college,” Ane shares. However, before she returns home, she has one more thing she wants to try before she parts ways with the United States, “I really want to try to get a cab in New York City by putting a hand up in the air and yelling ‘taxi’,” she confesses with a laugh.