Belgian student enjoying life in Springfield

“I really love it here,” says Lore Buchét, 17, of Belgium, who is attending Springfield High School as a participant in the Nacel Open Door student program dedicated to international understanding and language education. She is living with Mike and Denise Reiner and their daughter, Anna, on Central Street.

Among the best of life in Springfield, says Lore, are: “My host family. They’re really nice.  School and friends.  And, my American sister, Anna. We have many things in common.” 

Lore’s home is at Romerée, a small community in the southern part of Belguim, where French is the spoken language.  Her father, Jean-Claude, is a forester, and her mother, Marie – Francoise, is a high school mathematics teacher.  She has a brother, Louis, 15.

She chose to study in the United States to improve her English speaking skills and learn about the American culture. “We see lots about America in movies; some true and untrue,” she said.  

Lifestyles in Romerée and Springfield are similar. The big difference, Lore says, is the size of the countries.   She realized our country’s vastness during her flight to Sioux Falls, S.D., in August.  Lore was gazing out the window as the plane descended for a landing at the Sioux Falls Airport.  “All I could see were fields, fields, fields.” Where am I going?” she thought.   “Everything is big here — distances, portions of food, malls — everything,” she said.   “Belgium is small.  You can cross the country in three hours. Belgium is about one-seventh the size of Minnesota, but we have two times more people.”

Industry, highly developed in Belgium, is devoted mainly to the processing of imported raw materials into semi-finished and finished products, most of which are then exported. Steel production is the single most important sector of industry, with Belgium ranking high among world producers of iron and steel. However, it must import all its iron ore, which comes principally from Brazil, West Africa, and Venezuela. About four-fifths of Belgium’s steel products and more than three-quarters of its crude steel output are exported. In recent years, Belgian industry has been hampered by high labor costs, aging plant facilities, and a shrinking market for its products. “Our steel mills have been closing because it’s cheaper to do it in other countries,” Lore commented.  In 1998, Belgium produced 342,000 tons of crude copper. Belgium also produces significant amounts of crude, copper, crude zinc, and crude lead. The bulk of metal manufactures consists of heavy machinery, structural steelwork, and industrial equipment. The textile industry, dating from the Middle Ages, produces cottons, woolens, linens, and synthetic fibers. 

Lore is enjoying school in Springfield.  “It’s really good. Everyone in school is really nice.   I have made lots of friends. I have two best friends and we do lots of things together. On weekends we go shopping, go out to eat, go to the theatre,” she said. “I’m open-minded and independent and can do stuff by myself,” she added, but she enjoys the friendship.

At Springfield High School, Lore is studying physics, biology, FST (functions, statistics and trigonometry), English, music and American history.  

She participated in the drama department’s fall play, Wendy and Peter, and played the role of a mermaid.  She plans to participate in one-act play.  She enjoyed homecoming and participating in powder puff football. “I played defense so I didn’t do any scoring but I made a couple of good moves. That was really cool,” she said.  “I like to go to games — football, volleyball and now basketball — and cheer,” she said.  She looks forward to prom and graduation.

Lore also enjoys quiet times at the Reiner home.  Lore and Anna are good friends and they enjoy doing things together. “We like the same bands and enjoy the same TV shows,” commented Lore.   Recently, Lore prepared some Belgian favorite foods that included pumpkin soup, crepes and chocolate cake.  “Belgium is famous for chocolate cake,” she noted.

Lore is looking forward to a Minnesota winter. “Of course we have snow in Belgium,” she said, “but, I’m kind of excited if its more snow than we get in Belgium.”   She likes to ski and is looking forward to skiing in Minnesota.

This week, Lore is traveling with a group of students from foreign lands who are visiting New York City, Washington, D.C., and Niagara Falls. She’s already graduated from high school in Belgium.   After graduating from Springfield High School in May, she will return home and attend college. She plans to study Bio Medical and Surgical and hopes for a career as a researcher or teacher.