Storup here to stay, at least for awhile

Late last August, junior Mette Storup stepped off a commercial airplane and into Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, where she began her almost 10 month adventure as a foreign exchange student in the states. She said it was soon after that she realized she “had this entire year of new experiences in a new culture.”

A resident of Copenhagen, Denmark, Storup had traveled over 24 hours from Copenhagen to Charlotte, NC, with 3 flight changes in-between. She stayed with a “welcome family” in Charlotte for 2 days, along with an exchange student from Finland, until her host family could be assigned.

Storup stayed with her assigned host family for several months, but after awhile she began to feel unwelcome in their home during an awkward time in the couple’s relationship. She spoke with her host dad about finding someone else to stay with, and he seemed very relieved.

Storup explained her situation to journalism teacher Cindy Koon, who then sent an email to all the teachers at South Pointe, asking who might be interested in allowing Storup to stay with them. Within just a few days, several teachers had responded. Storup is now staying with IB coordinator and French teacher Stephanie Distasio.

Storup said she chose to come to the US for the exchange program because she wanted to be fluent in English and learn about American culture.

Her first day at South Pointe, Storup said she was late to most of her classes because she would get lost in the building. She said she felt like a celebrity, that it was strange to get all the attention.

But at the same time, she said she felt like an outcast, that she was shocked by the culture, and that it was very difficult to make friends because she didn’t know anybody.

That didn’t last long. She’s currently a Junior Civitan and runs the 1600 and 3200 in track. She said there aren’t any school clubs or sports in Denmark, and those outside of school aren’t quite as competitive.

“I like the ‘high school spirit’ here. We don’t have that at all in Denmark, it’s just not normal,” said Storup.

Storup said the one thing she misses most are her family and friends, and being thought of as ordinary.

“People can’t get over the fact that I’m an exchange student, so it’s hard to have a regular conversation with them,” said Storup.

In the last few months, Storup has been to Tennessee, Gatlinburg, the Smoky Mountains, and for Christmas, the Biltmore House in Asheville.

For Spring Break, Storup will join other exchange students on a “Discovery Tour,” which will include New York, Boston, and Washington D.C.

But her travels don’t stop here. Storup has plans to spend 2-3 weeks at a language camp in France this summer, and for her senior year she’ll go to an IB high school in Denmark on a business bachelor. After she graduates, Storup plans to attend law school.