AJ stands for Andrew Jackson, our 7th president. His reputation for toughness earned him the nickname "Old Hickory." A hero of the War of 1812, Jackson has appeared on the $20 bill since 1928.

We're different

Jessica likes tubing and American IdolIn South Korea, they eat pretty much the same foods—like rice and vegetables—every day.Tubing and American Idol


All things American

A few days after she gets to Minnesota, we take Jessica to an American Idol concert. After that, she watches American Idol every time it's on.

She really enjoys the music with all of us. She has her favorite contestants that she votes for every week.

Her favorites win. She really cheers!

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In the United States we have more of a variety of foods, such as American, Mexican, and Italian.

In America a lot of families own their homes, and have yards. In Seoul, most people live in apartments and don't have yards. If a family lives in a house that has its own yard, it's very expensive, and the yard isn't very big.

She really likes the yards, being outside, and the fresh air. She goes outside and kicks the soccer ball around with Anna, and she likes to jump rope.

Another big difference between South Korea and America is education. In South Korea, they go to school until six o'clock at night. Then they go to three-hour English and math academies.

When they get home from their academies, they are up doing homework after midnight. They don't have time for sports and other activities kids do in the United States. Academies Win

Jessica likes the South Korean way of education better than the American way of education.

She likes doing more work—in academies, for example—because that is what she's been doing her whole life. This may sound weird to some people, but she really likes doing more work and overcoming new challenges.

That is one of the reasons she catches on to English so fast—she likes the challenge of speaking a new language. Close
Jessica's tour of American life American Life

From Florida to Arizona

We live in Minnesota, and from there we take her to Orlando, Fla., and Tucson, Ariz.

In Orlando, we go to some of the Disney parks. She sees Mickey Mouse and goes on the rides. She's never done that before.

In Tucson, she gets to see the desert and we take her to spring training for a baseball game.

Jessica also experiences some American holidays, like Halloween and Thanksgiving. Her favorite holidays are Christmas and Halloween because of the presents and candy.

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Time to go

Jessica's last three months pass by very quickly. The last day of school seems to appear out of nowhere, and she only has two weeks left in the United States.

She really enjoys the two weeks of summer vacation, because when she gets back to Seoul she will go back to school right away. The last week Jessica's here, she ends her American experience where she had started it—at my uncle's cabin. Water Time


Boating at my uncle's cabin

Jessica's supposed to go to a summer camp in Wisconsin with Anna and her friends for a week.

But the camp gets cancelled after three days because two counselors get sick with flu. Anna and Jessica have to come home.

So my mom takes Jessica, Anna, and their friends to my uncle's cabin for some time on the water.

CloseWhen my mom takes Jessica, my sister Anna, and their friends to the cabin, it's the last time I'll see her. We say goodbye. Then they leave for the cabin.

I'm sad, but I make it through my day. When the week at the cabin is up, I'm at a tournament in Wisconsin. My mom calls and says they have just dropped Jessica off at the airport. I imagine Jessica in the air, flying back home.

Happy birthday, Jessica!Happy Birthday, Jessica!


How old are you...?

Jessica, Anna, and I celebrate Jessica's birthday American style.

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When we are all together again, we're sad that there are only four of us. But we keep each other company and remember the good times we had with Jessica.

I'm so glad that we had Jessica stay with us for nine months. We've learned many things, like how to share. We've celebrated her birthday with her, and watched her English improve.

I recommend that you talk to your family about hosting an exchange student. It's a positive experience. It's really cool to learn a new culture!

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