By Livvy Bellas
This school year, Fairbanks is hosting exchange student Gabriel Fridlund from Stockholm, Sweden.
He is an 18-year-old senior and is staying with the Williams family while he is in America. He says he was inspired to travel to America because of his exposure to American media throughout his childhood, and has developed a new interest in American politics after the 2016 election.
Gabriel has been enjoying his time in Ohio, and can see himself moving to America at some point in his adulthood.
Despite growing up in Sweden, Gabriel says that he has been speaking English for most of his life, especially in school.
He says the biggest thing he has had to adjust to in America is the transition from the urban environment in Stockholm to the rural area of Milford Center, including the lack of the subway, which was his main source of transportation in Sweden. He also says that it has been a major change not to have his family with him, especially his eight-year-old sister.
He wants to be able to experience as much of American life as he possibly can, and is interested in joining school activities such as track and science club. He would especially like to be involved in science club so he can attend its annual trip to Hocking Hills, because he enjoys hiking.
He likes America a lot so far and feels the people are very nice. He says he really likes Fairbanks High School, and is looking forward to completing his last year of high school in America.
The Fairbanks School District is excited to host him and is grateful to be a part of his American experience.