Imagine life as if it were suddenly one major culture shock. The people are different, the world changes and life transforms into a new kind of normal.  That’s what it’s like for several foreign exchange students attending Cannon Falls High School, including Hannah Mueller from Kassel, Germany.  Hannah arrived in the U.S. on August 25th, and did not anticipate what she would discover once she stepped out of the airport terminal.  Little did she know her fears would soon be blown out of the water.  

​​ The​ ​people​ ​and​ ​students​ ​in​ ​Cannon​ ​Falls​ ​have​ ​welcomed​ ​Hannah​ ​with​ ​open arms: “People here are so much nicer than in Germany,” says Hannah. “Like, I just met so many people who just invited me over for the weekend and they didn’t have to!”  Lunch is never boring at her table when she teaches her friends German slang and expresses how different the school system is compared to Germany.  Her friends already have a favorite word that Hannah enunciates, and that word is ‘squirrel’. “She is a very nice individual”, says friend and fellow student, Alyssa Goplen, “She says the biggest difference in the schools is that we change classes and she would stay in one classroom.”

Hannah has already had some new experiences in the two months she has been here.  She has gone apple picking, adapted to a new school system, and has tried several American-style foods.  Her favorite foods, at the moment, are Spaghetti and meatballs from Noodles and Company and french toast.  She was introduced to Fruit by the Foot, recently and really loves it.  She did dance back home, specifically ballet, and she had recently joined the dance team, and is having a great time at practice.  Hannah explained that the practice is challenging here and much different than ballet. However she is working hard and is hopeful to do well this season.  “I never held a split for so long in my life!”, she remarks.
Hannah is staying with the Pagel family and is a junior at Cannon Falls High School. She is prepared and anxious to see what her future in the United States has in store for her.