Pauline Walter

Germany

Her full name is Pauline Walter, and she comes here to the United States from Schwerin, Germany. Pauline is 16 years of age, has no pets, but she does have a younger sister back at home. Pauline enjoys playing volleyball, and a favorite activity among many teenage girls- dancing.

Now, I’m sure everyone is wondering, “Why on earth would you want to come to Maine?” Well, Pauline didn’t really choose to come to Maine, she just wanted to come to the United States, and her organization found her a home in Maine. That family just happened to be Phil and Tammy Potter, who live in Mechanic Falls. Pauline says that before she came to Maine, she had meetings with her organization about the dress codes here, the religion, how she can only call her home family once a month, and says that she was shocked after these meetings, and a little bit scared to come to the US. When she got here, however she was relieved that it was a lot better than she had expected.

Pauline says that the students here at PRHS are very nice, helpful, and are interested in knowing more about her and her country. She has been asked some pretty funny questions. For example one student asked her, “Do you speak German in your country?” Although the students here have made her feel comfortable, Pauline says, “It’s a long way ’till I’m acting like in my home country,” which is completely understandable. It’s hard to be yourself when strangers surround you.

Pauline says that some differences between Poland and her hometown are that here people usually travel by their own cars, and in Germany you either use public transportation, or ride your bike. She says it’s funny to see 15 year olds learning how to drive; the legal driving age in Germany is 18. The houses are closer together, and there are more shops in Germany, but she says the people here are much friendlier. School in Germany is a bit more strict than here in Poland. In Germany, you can’t choose your classes, and you have to take 18 classes every year. Here, Pauline says that the teachers support you more, and the classes are longer. She also does not have any trees at her school. Pauline also says that dances are a much bigger deal here than in Germany. She says that here, girls tell their friends to tell this boy to ask them to the dance, and in Germany you just go with your friends, and it’s not as big of a deal if the boy asks the girl or not.

Some new things Pauline has tried while being here include learning how to play tennis, how to snowboard, how to play the guitar, and eating macaroni and cheese, or as she referred to it, “Cheesy macaroni.” She says that back at home there is a type of black bread that is healthier for you, and there is also a chocolate peanut butter, or as she referred to it, “Snickers for bread.” Pauline also admits that the chocolate in Germany is a lot better than the chocolate over here.

In addition to seeing the sights of Maine, Pauline would like to visit Boston, Florida, and her relatives in New York City.

Anette Braathen

Norway

Anette Braathen is 16 years old from Oslo, Norway. She has no pets, and only has one younger sister at home. Anette wanted to visit the East coast, and so her organization sent her to Maine.

Her experience, so far, has been pleasant. The people have been very nice and open to her. She has already tried tennis, and she goes to church every Sunday with her host family, Bethany and Joshua Marking, who live in Minot. Anette says that going to church is not something she does at home. She says that the people here are much more religious.

Anette says that school here in stricter than her school in Norway. For example, you are not allowed to be wandering the halls here, and it really is not that big of a deal back at home. She has eight 45-minute classes with 10-minute breaks in between each class. She is in school from 7:50 to 3:15.

Anette says that everything here is so far apart. She lives in a neighborhood in Oslo, and the houses are very close together. People here use their cars much more often. Speaking of cars, Anette is trying to get her license. Good luck!!

Anette enjoys snowboarding, aerobics and volleyball. She is also growing fond of tennis; she has joined the Racket Club here at Poland Regional High School.

While she’s here in the United States Anette is going to visit California, New York, and Boston.

Augustine Lin

Indonesia

Augustine Lin, 17 years old, joins the PRHS student body from Jakarta, Indonesia. She has one younger sister, two younger brothers, and some sea fish back at home.

Jakarta is a much busier and larger town than Poland. In Jakarta, everything is more compact, and closer together. She lives only 15 minutes from the 4-story mall in Jakarta; here it’s about 45 minutes from her home to the 1- story Maine Mall. In Jakarta, it’s much more crowded, and traffic jams occur frequently. There are no stop signs, no speed limits, and you are not required to wear a seatbelt. The best thing about Jakarta, at least to me, is the fact that there are no taxes anywhere. In Jarkata, Augustine says that there is a soy- bean tofu type food that you can’t get here, and also in Jarkata you eat white rice every day, and the first time Augustine ate rice over here was a couple of nights ago. She appeared pretty happy to have had her rice back!

At school in Jakarta, Augustine says you take 13 classes a year, and in just one day it’s not uncommon to have 9-10 classes. Each class is 45 minutes long, with either 20 minute or 40 minute breaks in between. Augustine says that school starts at 6:50 and goes until either 3 or 4. That’s a long time to be in school! They also don’t change classes, don’t use any lockers, and there is only one counselor for all of the students. She has to wear a uniform at her school, and Augustine says that some of the jackets and clothes she sees around here are new to her. Augustine says that one unusual thing that happens here is that she sees kissing everywhere, and at her school kids don’t really do that. Also, the students here argue back to the teachers, and in Jarkarta you can’t do that.

Augustine enjoys volleyball and swimming back at home. She has already tried dance class here, and hopes to try some snow sports here, because there is no snow in Indonesia.

When asked if there were any places she wanted to visit while being here, Augustine replied, “Yes.if I could all!”

Augustine says that the people here are nice, open- minded and friendly. She also says, “I have the best host family, Joshua and Bethany Marking. I’m so lucky to have them as my host family,” and we are lucky to have Augustine here at Poland Regional High School.