~ March Issue ~
 

Austrian Interview
By Lauren Stabile, Editor

        Two weeks ago, El Segundo High School students anticipated the arrival of an airplane – not the Airbus 380, but the plane carrying 53 Austrian exchange students.  They came to experience life at a typical American high school, with typical American families, and what better place to experience America than in the best city in the best state in the union?  The Bay Eagle recently interviewed Kerstin Faber, one of the Austrian students, to record her experience in America.

The Bay Eagle (BE): What words came to mind when someone said “America” before this trip?

Kerstin Faber (KF): George W. Bush, New York, McDonald’s 

BE: What was the stupidest question an American asked you?

KF: “Does Austria have a king?” and “Do you have kangaroos?” 

BE: What was your favorite part about staying in California?

KF: The crazy people at Venice [Beach] 

BE: What surprised you the most about American life?

KF: That [Americans] are not like how all the TV shows show them. 

BE: What is the biggest difference between Austria and the United States?

KF: First of all, Austria is much smaller than the United States.  My personal opinion is that people are more welcoming in America than in Austria. 

BE: What do you think about El Segundo High School?

KF: The buildings are beautiful—really, really beautiful. I like that the students are participating in sports and are really athletic. 

BE: What was your favorite class while you were here?

KF: Photography and AP Physics were my favorite classes.  They were interesting and I really loved them.  In photography, I really got involved in the process and I took my own photos. 

BE:  How do Austrian high schools compare with American high schools?

KF:  American students do a lot more sports in school and they can choose which classes they take.  They have only 6 or 7 classes while we take a lot more. 

BE: What is your favorite American movie, television show or band?

KF: All my favorite movies and bands are American.  Nearly all TV shows are American. I really love the O.C.   

BE: What was the most surprising part of your first day at school?

KF: The electric pencil sharpener. 

BE: What have you learned from this experience?

KF: Americans are really friendly and the country is really, really beautiful.