Yi Shan Hsieh arrived to a world of snow, Thanksgiving turkey and wide open land that feature deer roaming free.
‘There are open spaces,? she said. ‘The animals roam all over.?
Yi Shan, known to her newly made friends at Goodrich High School as ‘Sammi,? was immersed into American life from the Taoyuan country in the northwest region of Taiwan. The subtropical area is basically snow free except in the mountain area. She lives there in an apartment with her mother, a nurse, and father, a salesman.
Sammi was unsure of the English spelling of their names’however she is fluent in both Chinese and English.
‘We are required to learn English in kindergarten,? said Sammi who is staying with the Schall family of Atlas Township as part of the International Student Exchange Program. ‘I came here to learn to speak English better and make some new friends in America. It’s been freezing here in Michigan ever since I got here in September. I do miss our food back home’especially the rice and noodles. The food is here is good, but it’s too sweet for me. It all seems to be real cheesy or creamy, but the hamburgers are excellent.?
Sammi attends Dayuan High School in Taoyuan where she is a junior.
‘I go to class from 7:30 a.m. to 5:10 p.m. each day,? she said. ‘I’m done here at 2:30 here at Goodrich. It’s great getting out so early in the day.?
Classes have been just OK here, she said.
‘Some of the translations have been difficult,? she added. ‘English is difficult, especially the grammar to learn. The American history class is rather difficult, too, I’ve never had that class before.?
Sammi is on the dance club in Taiwan, where she performs to hip-hop music and rap.
‘Really don’t love the rap or hip-hop music, but it’s great for dancing,? she said. ‘Also for fun back home our family goes to the night markets, which are open from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.. The street food is great, you can get just about anything down there.?
Transportation in Atlas Township is far different, too.
‘Everyone drives cars here’I can’t because you have to be 18-years-old to get a license,? she said. ‘Families have more than one (car) here, too. We take a bus or train whenever we go somewhere.?
Sammi attended her first football game at Goodrich.
‘I watched the game but have no idea what they are doing out there,? she said. ‘We do play and watch baseball in Taiwan, I do understand that game.?