Danish student enjoying country lifestyle

Life on the farm and in small town America is interesting for Simone Rasmussen 16, from Denmark, who is attending Springfield High School as a participant in the Education First program for foreign students, and is living with Mary and Martin Larson and daughter Marah in Sundown Township.  

“I was shocked when I heard that I was going to be living on a farm with goats. That was funny,” said Simone, whose native home is in Holbaek, a city with 35,000 population.

Simone is not complaining, however.

“I am so glad where I am now.  I love my family — Mary, Martin and Marah, so much,” said Simone. “I’m really happy here.”  (And, she thinks the goats are “very cute”). 

Simone had some pre-conceived ideas about America. She knew the United States is a vast country and had heard and read a lot about obesity and fast food. “I think I judged it wrong,” she said. “I was afraid I would come here and we would eat junk food every night. “Of course there is obesity, but most of the girls and boys in school are very fit.”

“I was most surprised by school, my family and how open this community really is. I didn’t think people would be so friendly,” said the young Dane in a recent interview. “In Denmark I don’t even know my neighbor’s name. We don’t speak or wave when we’re out and about like you do here. That’s really nice.”  See this week's Springfield Advance-Press for more of this story.