Being an exchange student opens many doors and new beginnings. For Maya Koll she is hoping to experience as much as she can and truly soak in the “American Dream.”

Koll, a typical teen from Germany, is enrolled as a junior this year at NHS. She is staying with the Mike and Beth Altekruse family.

Always watching American movies, Koll decided to be a part of international exchange and travel to the United States because she wanted to experience an American high school like those featured in the movies.

Staying for the whole year, Koll has already made observations in a few short weeks on differences between NHS and school in Germany. She said that teachers in Germany are not as friendly and kind as the teachers at NHS. She said that the German teachers do not really care about the students.

Back in Germany Koll dances and plays the guitar. She also can speak in Spanish and Latin. Here at NHS,  she is involved in cross country. She noted that although she had a wonderful season; it is coming to a close.

Like any true Wisconsinite, Koll said her favorite thing about America was Culvers. Of course she has other American favorites such as tacos, which are not usually served in Germany. In contrast, her favorite authentic German food is schnitzel: a pounded pork chop coated in flour, eggs and breadcrumbs.

With just a few weeks of school under her belt, Koll is excited to experience as much as she can before she has to return home. She is hoping to take advantage of everything she can. With continuing to make new friends and many memories, she will always miss her friends back home, her family and German bread but she knows her time here go fly by in the blink of an eye, and she cannot wait for what the rest of the year has to offer.