Upon entering the United States from the Netherlands, expectations were high. Placed in Nebraska, Wencke Ter Wal had to rethink those expectations.

From an outside perspective, the United States has a lot to offer compared to many foreign countries: especially in education opportunities.  Nebraska is unique in its weather, agriculture, and community.  Although Nebraska does not represent the United States as a whole, it offers an inside perspective of what our country is.

Sophomore Wencke Ter Wal is from the Netherlands and arrived to begin her exchange year in August.

“I wanted to come because of the experience,” Ter Wal said.  “It sounded like a lot of fun to experience American life, and I wanted to learn my English better,” Ter Wal said.

Ter Wal didn’t pick Nebraska; her host family lives here and chose her.

 “It wouldn’t have been my first choice, but I wasn’t sure what to expect no matter the state,” Ter Wal said.

As she got off the plane, Ter Wal expected to see farms and grasslands.  She knew that in Nebraska she would not get the glorified New York City experience, but she was still excited to be in America.

“When I was actually in the airplane on the way here I had a moment where I was like, ‘What am I doing’, and ‘Why am I doing this,’” Ter Wal said.

Ter Wal had seen a lot of videos about an exchange year on TikTok and thought it looked fun so she made the choice to come to the US with the help of her parents.  Ter Wal was most nervous about the letter she had to write to apply for a host family.

“I knew whoever was reading my letter would be deciding if they wanted me or not,” Ter Wal said.

The anticipation of a new temporary family was both exciting and nerve racking for Ter Wal.  Along with the application process, Wencke was not prepared to have to get vaccinated for t

“I was also not expecting that I would have to get a flu shot before coming,” Ter Wal said.  “There was so much paperwork, but I’m happy that I did it now.”

In the Netherlands, their school system is different from the US.  If they obtain the required credits, they can graduate as young as 16.  Ter Wal already graduated high school in the Netherlands last year, so a return to high school was a big adjustment.

“It was weird to go back two grades here, and everyone questioned how I had already graduated at 16,” Ter Wal said.  “The label sophomore makes me feel so young, but back home it’s normal.”

Home life for Ter Wal is also very different. In the Netherlands lives with her parents and one older brother.  Here in Nebraska her house she lives with her host parents and four younger siblings.

 “My host moms have been really good for me,” Ter Wal said.  “I like them a lot.”

Ter Wal expected her living situation to be much different than back home based on what she had seen on social media and on TV. She knew everything in the US is bigger so she had that same expectation for her house and school.

“I thought their house was so big when I first got here, but as I have talked to other people, they said it was a normal size, which is crazy to me.”

As Ter Wal left behind her family and friends, she was nervous to start over in a new place.  

“Everyone back home is so nice, so I was nervous about the people here and what to expect,” Ter Wal said.  “It’s gotten easier to make friends, but I wasn’t used to that at first.”

Ter Wal will return to the Netherlands in May and she plans to return and visit the US someday. First, she will attend college in the Netherlands and finish school.  

Although she wasn’t placed in New York or Los Angeles, Ter Wal has enjoyed her time in Nebraska so far.   She looks forward to the rest of her exchange year; including embracing the Nebraska winter.

“It’s the same as in the movies,” Ter Wal said.