Rotary Scholar Julia Öhrn Interviewed About Her Year at Ashley Hall by Alyssa Yang

Rotary Scholar Julia Öhrn at Ashley Hall Prom

Interview with Julia Öhrn

by Alyssa Yang

In the Fall of 2013, Julia Öhrn, a Swedish exchange student, came to Ashley Hall for a year of study through the Rotary Scholar Program. Despite being five thousand miles away from home, she firmly believes America is her second home and enjoys the opportunity for study abroad at Ashley Hall. Recently, Alyssa Yang, student reporter, sat down with Julia to learn about her experience abroad.

Hi, Julia! How do you describe yourself?

I was born about 20 miles away from Stockholm (capital) in a suburb city called Täby. There are four people in my family, including me. My parents always support me and encourage me in my life. I have an older brother, who is now on his trip to Thailand. I have a Bichon Havanese puppy.

Julia Öhrn and friends dressed for prom

My friends would describe me as a positive, happy and brave girl. I am almost always happy and a truthful friend as well.  I might seem reserved and quiet, but if you get to know me, I am an out-going and optimistic person. I love to laugh as well. In my spare time, I like to workout to keep healthy. I also have some hobbies, such as dancing, Zumba. This year, I joined the Ashley Hall cross country team and track team, and through working with different team members, I have learned a lot from teamwork spirit. I love adventure travel because I can get inspired by different cultures and discover new worlds. As Mark Twain once wrote, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

Actually, this is not the first time that I have been to America. I traveled to America when I was in elementary school.  Since then, I have hoped to come back and visit America again. Now I am living my dream! I am very glad that I have the chance to study here.

What are some current events facing your country today?

Julia Öhrn with family and friends celebrating Midsommar in Sweden

One of the most important holidays that we celebrate every year is Midsommar (Midsummer’s Day), which takes place on Friday between June 19 and June 26. During Midsummer, whole families gather to celebrate this tradition in a summer house in countryside. 

Another big event is the Swedish Parliament election. The next European parliamentary election in Sweden will be held on May 25th in 2014. The election is within a multi-party system. 

If you had one word to describe Ashley Hall, what would it be? Why?

Powerful. I think Ashley Hall strongly promotes growth in courage, independence, and leadership of young women and also makes a good balance between students’ lives in and out of school.

Swedish Crayfish

If you could tell one thing about your culture, what would it be?

Lagom. It is a Swedish word meaning “not too much and not too little” and “just the perfect amount of everything in life.” It is also a word to describe Swedish people’s lifestyles. Overall, people are very friendly in Sweden and it is a peaceful country.

Swedish Strawberry Cake

What are the most difficult challenges or obstacles that you have ever faced in America? How did you overcome these challenges or obstacles?

Well, I would say probably that being alone and away from family and friends is the most difficult thing. At first, it was hard for me to speak English all day. As the time went by, I have improved on my spoken English a lot. I also had problems learning U.S. history and English, but I tried to catch up on my grades in those classes. My host families have always encouraged me and helped me with my English.

How would you describe your homestay experience?

Julia Öhrn skiing in Utah

I have stayed with three different families, and this has made me learn the different family customs These experiences have fostered my adaptability and helped me become more mature. My host families always

 take me to visit other places in America, such as, New York and Utah. They also have always been careful to give me my privacy, and I can always find quiet when I am needed. At last, I wish them all of the best, and cannot thank them enough for making me feel so at home.

What have you learned about yourself in the past year at Ashley Hall?

I have learned how to be an independent and strong young woman. I have learned to give everyone second chance, because first impression can be misleading sometimes. More important, everyone has her/his own advantages. I used to take the thing for granted, but now I realize that I should appreciate every little things in life and people who around me.

What are some most memorable events since you have been here?

It has been a year full of memories! The Thanksgiving holiday was special for me because it was a celebration that we don’t have in Sweden. It was a celebration full of love and appreciation.

Do you have any advice for the other new exchange students who might come next year?

Try to enrich your life as much as you can in this year! I would encourage the other exchange students to really be a part of Ashley Hall, and that’s the thing I would have changed if I could. Don’t be embarrassed to make mistakes and to make more friends here. You should always ASK if you have questions about anything and always be grateful to your host families. If you fall behind in a class, you can always ask teachers for extra help, and they would love to help you with that!

Would you come back to America?

Absolutely!!! I love Charleston, and I think it is a beautiful city. I also would like to travel the whole country.

Julia Öhrn in front of the Ashley Hall Shell House

The Lantern Festival in China by: Alexa Luo

           The Lantern Festival is one of the traditional Chinese festivals. It takes place on the fifteenth day after the lunar Chinese New Year. This holiday marks the end of celebration of the Lunar New Year. On the day of the Lantern Festival, people go out to the temples carrying lanterns that are made of red waxed paper. At night, people light candles inside the lanterns, and those lanterns will fly into the night sky when the air inside the lanterns heats up enough, just like hot air balloons. Ancient Chinese believed that the flying red lanterns brought their best wishes to God in the heavens. Though thousands of years have passed, the tradition of flying red lanterns has not died out. Every year, the flying red lanterns against a starry sky make a terrific scene unique to the Lantern Festival.

Lanterns Light the Sky. Art by: Aubrey Groves

            The history of Lantern Festival can be traced back to circa 220 B.C. People carried firebrands around the farms and fields in order to drive the injurious insects away. The people hoped that this practice would reduce the insect pests and bring a better harvest. During the following centuries, the Lantern Festival has grown into one of the major festivals in China. The royals made huge lanterns in different shapes: dragons, lions, figures of Buddha and so on. Everyday folk made small lanterns in the shapes of flowers, trees and animals. With a gentle breeze, those big and small lanterns, along with colorful fireworks, would light up the entire city of Beijing at night.

            Because China is vast in territory, different regions have their unique traditions to celebrate holidays like the Lantern Festival, but there are three major activities that everyone will do on the day of the Lantern Festival: eat sweet pudding balls, admire fancy lanterns and guess lantern riddles in the parades. Families usually sit together at a big round table and eat a delicious meal in the evening while the moon gradually comes out. The atmosphere is filled with love. In China the round shape of tables, lanterns, and the moon all implies family reunion and concord.

The parades have many performances, such as: dragon dances, lion dances, and stilt dances. Ancient people regarded dragons and lions as symbols of power that were given by nature, and these dances aimed to worship the animals. These activities attract countless visitors. People gather on the streets, where various shapes and sizes of lanterns are hung, and children often sit on their fathers’ shoulders to watch these exciting performances. 

Lanterns hang from the ceiling at Red Orchid Restaurant in Charleston, SC Photo by: Alexa Luo

“Guessing lantern riddles” is also an essential and fun thing to do during the Lantern Festival. Lantern makers write riddles on pieces of paper and stick the paper on the lanterns. If the tourists guess, they can open the lantern and find a piece of paper with the answer inside. If they are right, they will get a gift from the makers. This “riddle guessing” activity first occurred in the Song Dynasty about 1000 years ago. This practice of guessing riddles was not only fascinating but was also full of wisdom and knowledge. Soon, “riddle guessing” became popular all over the country.

Later at night, a grand and gorgeous firework show will often end the parade. The fifteenth day is the first full moon night of the New Year; therefore, the Chinese regard the Lantern Festival as a symbol of perfection and unity. According to the Chinese Lunar Calendar in 2014, the Lantern Festival is on February 14^th, the same day as Valentine’s Day.

Every year, my mom, grandma and aunts cook a big meal on the Lantern Festival. All of my relatives will sit together around a round table and enjoy the delicious dinner. We also watch an annual Lantern Festival Show on television. It is the last day of Chinese New Year, therefore we will all give blessings and then start the next year. I encourage you to try some sweet pudding balls while you enjoy watching the lanterns. It will be a wonderful experience of another culture.