Inspired by her father who had once studied abroad in the states, Cornelia Dahlquist decided to follow in her father’s footsteps and take the leap to come to America. “My father talked to me about it and said it was one of the best things he has done.”

The foreign exchange student from Gothenburg, Sweden arrived in the states on Aug. 21 and will be staying until shortly after senior graduation. She has only been to Neenah and New York while being in the states, but she hopes to visit more places as time goes by.

Dahlquist is a senior here at the high school and is currently living with the Barber family. She began learning English between the ages 6 and 7 with the help of her father. She felt as if there were times that she might be misunderstood, but her English is nearly perfect and her Swedish accent often presents itself when she speaks.

To date, Dahlquist is not involved in any clubs or sports but is interested in trying out for the softball team in spring. As for instruments, she admitted to playing a little guitar with a shy smile. “I don’t play often and never in front of people. I like it but I don’t care to take it further,” she said.

When reflecting on what she misses the most from back home she quickly responded, “I miss my family and friends and our salt candy.” She, however, briskly shared that she loves American food, but more specifically, Taco Bell. She said that she always orders the ‘Crunchy Taco Supreme’ without cheese because she dislikes it. She then makes a witty comment on how she’s “…in the wrong state for not liking cheese because you guys put cheese on everything.” Not only does she love the food, but she also enjoys how people in America are so friendly and polite. But she did include that she disliked the amount of cliques here at NHS.

In terms of the differences between the school here and in Sweden, the exchange student focused on the size and specific events. “There are a lot more people here,” she said. “Back in Sweden, we are 300 people, while there are over 1,000 here.”

As for another difference between schools, they have no dances; as opposed to NHS having multiple dances throughout the school year. A few weeks prior to homecoming, she was asked with kindness and the candy Swedish Fish. “It was very fun. It was my first dance,” she smiled wide while she spoke. “We don’t have dances back at home, except for senior prom.” She says that she is looking forward to more dances as the year progresses.

Overall, Dahlquist’s year has only just begun, but she has already experienced a numerous amount of things that will stay in her memory for as long as she can remember. She hopes that the rest of this year will be as action-packed as the start.