Tova Lestander and Eivind-Johan (EJ) are International exchange students who have chosen to come to the United States to experience a new culture. They have some things in common but mostly they are both from the cold climates of Sweden and Norway. Their native languages are similar but not exactly the same. When they converse, it is easier for EJ to understand Tova. The countries of Sweden and Norway have mountains for skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling. Even though they come from the same general area of the world, there are still differences.

Tova came to the United States in late July and was in New York for camp. Camp makes it easier for the students to assimilate to the new culture of the US. After going to camp and learning more about the US and Nebraska, the culture shock is not as strong. It's not the large things that seem to stand out but the little things. Things like "round doorknobs instead of "levers" for door openers.

Tova said, "I really like it here." Her favorite subjects are sociology and art. She's a senior here but will have to retake her senior class requirements when she goes back home to Sweden. At home she has a 16-year-old sister and two brothers ages 4 and 5 years old. Her parents are separated. Tova will live with each parent and their families which has given her versatility in her lifestyle. So living with a new family here in the US is easy for her. Tova's mother urged her to come over the Atlantic to experience our culture here. Her mother was a nanny in Boston when she was a young woman. She wants to be sure Tova has a good experience here as well.

Tova got to experience volleyball and enjoyed playing the sport. She laughed at her lack of experience because she said, "I didn't play well but everyone was so supportive of me and let me play anyway. I love the people the best. People here are nice and open and want to get to know me."

Her favorite experiences here so far are "having kids over for dinner, driving around town with friends, and most of all, the last part of the volleyball game. That's when the other players allowed me to play to get the last point. That was nice of them to think about that."

When Tova goes back to Sweden, she will continue to study to be a chef. She's already a practicing chef.

EJ was in New York earlier than Tova. He was excited about meeting new friends and family members. Sports is his main priorities. He enjoys weights most of all. He's an avid sports player. In Norway he is a black belt Taekwondo fighter. He is second best in Norway. Academically EJ enjoys math the most. In Norway they have 13 grades in school so when he returns home he will go on to the 13th grade. The small things he noticed that are different here in the States is that we wear shoes in the house. In Norway everyone takes off their shoes before they go into the houses. We also have storm doors. They have only one door to enter into the houses.

His motivation for coming to the states is to gain new experiences and to see a new culture. Like most seniors, he wanted to leave home for a while and to explore new vistas. He has one sister in college, so he is the annoying little brother. Now he has two little brothers, Truet and Callum McCord. Now he can see both sides of the situation. He said, "It's fun having two younger brothers."

EJ's favorite food here is hamburgers and the fact that we eat more meat here. He is used to eating a lot of fish (at least three days a week.) His favorite fish is salmon. It's only a short walk (1/2 mile) to the ocean for him. He's noticed that we are offered 2 for 1 on a lot of food choices here.

Tova Lestander, foreign exchange student from Sweden, is living with Tony, Allison and Calloway White for a yearlong stay.

Both students miss the mountains a bit and will (at different times) be able to visit Colorado to participate in their favorite sports. EJ likes skiing and Tova really like snowboarding. They are both happy they get to connect with their family and friends via Facetime every week. Homesickness is not a problem for them because they can visit home every week.