By Bostyn Hillibush

Anita Dahl is a foreign exchange student from the Faroe Islands, a collection of 18 mountain islands between Scotland and Iceland. She is a junior currently studying at Bellbrook High School.

Dahl always wanted the opportunity to be able to come to the United States. “I had always seen the U.S. on TV and YouTube,” Dahl said. “I just wanted to know what it’s like living here.” 

Since arriving, Dahl has experienced things she has never done before. She has traveled with her host family, gone to the lake, tubed, ate her very first pickle, and met many new people.

When Dahl found out that she was coming to Ohio, her friends made jokes out of it. “I love Bellbrook,” Dahl said. “The teachers are so nice, and the students are also really nice and everybody is so helpful. I’m going to be sad when I leave.”

“Not gonna lie,” Dahl said. “The best thing I have done is meeting and playing with the soccer girls.” 

When Dahl had come to the U.S., she knew she was going to play soccer. Dahl played handball back home, a game with 7-11 people where they try to throw or hit an inflated ball into goals.

When she came here, she knew that there wasn’t a handball team, so she decided to play soccer. Since she plays handball, she was fully aware that she was going to be playing as the goalie, and Dahl loves to play in goal. 

“I like to be in goal because I don’t have to run,” Dahl said, laughing. “No, but for real, I do like being in goal, but it is stressful because if you make one mistake that mistake will maybe be the reason you lose.” 

Dahl has been so happy she got the chance to play with everyone she loves. Playing is her favorite thing she has done so far since she came here. “I love it,” Dahl said. “The girls and the coaches are amazing. And the parents: they are all so nice and sweet, so really, I love it.” 

“Thank you to everybody who makes this journey one of the best experiences of my life. Thanks to all the teachers, students, coaches, soccer players, and my friends,” Dahl said.