Q/A

Questions that I'm asked often (or questions that aren't asked so often that still I enjoy answering):

Where are you from?
Iowa

Where's Iowa?
In the north-central region of the US, right under Minnesota. Chicago is 5 hours east of my "pueblo" by car.

Do you have to repeat this year?
No, because last year I took some junior-level classes and next year I will be taking more classes than most seniors do. So in the end I'l have just as many credits to graduate as my classmates in the US.

Do you know how to make chocolate-chip cookies?
Yes.

Is the US really like American Pie?
I don't know -- I've never seen American Pie.

Do you like Justin Bieber?
No.

Well do you like the Jonas Brothers?
Yes. Nick is my favorite.

Are there huge house parties in the US like in the movies?
I assume so, but I don't go to them. The Universities party more than high-schoolers do... I think.

In the English version of Toy Story 3, does Buzz Lightyear still talk in Spanish when he is in "Spanish-mode"?
Yes, and it's awesome.

Do you like Lady Gaga and/or Katy Perry?
I like some of their songs, but I'd prefer to listen to other artists.

Do you really eat lunch at school in the huge cafeteria with all the students?
Yep!

Is the school food bad and are there really lunch ladies with hair-nets?
It is terrible but we still eat it, and yes, the lunch ladies are real.

Did you study Spanish before you came?
Yes, I studied Spanish for two years before I came at my high school.

Do you have to study foreign language in the US?
In my high school, it isn't required to take foreign language classes, but the state universities require at least two years study of a foreign language. So, most people study Spanish but French is also offered.

Do a lot of people speak Spanish in the US?
Where I live, no. But there's a lot of Spanish in the south -- Texas, Arizona, Florida, etc. -- and in New York and California. However, people predict that in 20, 30 years or so, more Spanish will be spoken in the US than English.

Can you really drive?
Yes, and I miss my car so much.

Are there really cliques at your high school like in the movies?
Yes, but movies exaggerate it.

Have you been to New York City or California?
No, but I'd really like to!

How could you have not seen the ocean before you came to Spain??
Iowa doesn't have an ocean :(

Which do you like better, Iowa or Spain?
That's impossible for me to answer. I love Spain and it's unique culture, but Iowa is my home. How can I choose between them?

What do you eat in the US?
Um.. everything? We have cheese burgers and hot dogs, but we don't eat them for dinner every night. Pizza, spaghetti, tacos, casseroles, chicken, beef, lots of fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, Chinese food.

Do you know how to make an apple pie?
If I had a recipe I could probably make it.

What is Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving is when we celebrate the Pilgrims coming over to America by having a huge meal with lots of family.

What is the school year is the US, and what are the hours?
At my school, we usually start on August 25 or so, and end in late May or early June. School begins around 8:03 and ends around 3:15.

Do you really work back in the US?
Yeah, I work at a grocery store and it's pretty common for teenagers to have after-school/weekend jobs.

How long are you here? Forever, or what...?
I go back to the US in the beginning of August, so I'll have been here for about 10 months.

Are you going to come back to Spain?
Of course but I don't know when! I'll come and visit and I want to show Spain to my family.

Is your family going to visit you here or did you go back for Christmas?
No, I haven't seen my family since I left the US but I'll see them soon when I'm back.

Are things less expensive in the US?
Yeah, everything here [in Spain] is generally more expensive -- clothes, electronics, food. Except for University fees. Colleges/Unvisities are waaaaayyyy more expensive in the US.  (People go to the universities in Spain for a few thousand dollars each year.)

Why did you come here?
I came because I want to see more of the world and learn about the culture of another country besides my own. I didn't come to learn Spanish, but that is one of my main goals before I have to leave.

Madrid or Barcelona?
Barcelona!!