Xaro Saelen is originally from Belgium and is a foreign exchange student at the high school this year. The Bear Facts staff sat down with him to find out more about his life and his experience in America. 

Q: Do you like America so far?

A: Yeah, I like the good weather and nice people.

Q: What  is your favorite thing about school?

A: Soccer

Q: What is it like in Belgium?

A: Bowling, cinemas, golf, parties

Q: Is the food different in America than from where you grew up?

A: Yep, different specialties

Q:What is one thing you miss from Belgium?

A: Family

Q: What are the sports like in Belgium?

A: No sports in school

Q: Is your school different from this one?

A: Yeah, there are no little schools, like primary schools. Over there is six years of high school.

Q: What sports did you play in Belgium?

A: Soccer

Q: Is English harder for you compared to other languages?

A: I speak Dutch, which is like the cousin of English, so it’s not hard but not easy.

Q: Do you like being at this high school?

A: Yeah, I have some nice friends and my year isn’t over yet.

Q: What made you choose America?

A: The movies. I wanted to see if it was true.

Q: What are some similarities of Belgium and America?

A: Almost nothing

Q: Is soccer more difficult in Belgium then in America?

A: Yes, the level is high for work I have seen.

Q: What is the weather like in Belgium and is it close to what it is like here? 

A: Absolutely not – the hottest day in Belgium is like a normal day here in Orange.

Q: What is your favorite food you have tried so far in America?

A: Burgers!

Q: Is the culture different in Belgium than from the culture in the United States?

A: We are also Catholic, so it supposed to be almost the same.

Q: What do you like most about America?

A: Weather and the people

Q: What have you done so far in America?

A: Tried food, met people, went to a festival