On Oct. 21, Edina High School welcomed ten German exchange students. Seventeen-year-old Niklas Hinneberg, staying with junior Jackson Van Dyke, is one of them.

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Zephyrus: What motivated you to study abroad in America?

Niklas Hinneberg: All my life I’ve watched American films or listened to American music… This exchange is the best [way] to discover the country that I’ve heard stories about all my life.

Zephyrus: What are you most excited to see in America?

N.H.: I’m looking forward to seeing typical things like American football and big cars!

Zephyrus: Did you enjoy having a foreign exchange student? How did you like housing Jackson?

N.H.: I enjoyed his calmness and hearing his violin every night . Even though our interests didn’t fit always, we spent a nice time together and got along really well.

Zephyrus: What American custom are you most excited to try?

N.H.: I would like to go to a typical Halloween party.

Zephyrus: What is the reputation of America to you?

N.H. It’s a very free state, with liberty and pride, but with funny laws.

Zephyrus: What is one of the funny laws?

N.H.: I just heard [about] this one law in Texas! Where you can’t carry a beer but you can carry a gun.

Zephyrus: What is something people should know about you?

N.H.: They should know that although I’m German, I’m very nice and talkative!

Zephyrus: What do you do in your free time? What are some of your hobbies?

N.H.: My favorite hobbies include playing football (soccer) and just hanging with friends.

Zephyrus: What are you going to miss most about Germany?

N.H.: I’m definitely going to miss German food! And my friends!

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If you see Niklas or any of the other exchange students roaming the halls, be sure to welcome them and say “Guten Tag!”