| Salt Lake City |
 |
 |
| GER |
12 |
16 |
7 |
35 |
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| USA |
10 |
13 |
11 |
34 |
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| NOR |
11 |
7 |
6 |
24 |
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| CAN |
6 |
3 |
8 |
17 |
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| RUS |
6 |
6 |
4 |
16 |
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| AUT |
2 |
4 |
10 |
16 |
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| ITA |
4 |
4 |
4 |
12 |
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| FRA |
4 |
5 |
2 |
11 |
|
| SUI |
3 |
2 |
6 |
11 |
|
| NED |
3 |
5 |
0 |
8 |
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U.S. flag-waving startles visiting Swedish students
By Jennifer Toomer-Cook
Deseret News staff writer
OREM — You won't see Swedes passing out flags and proclaiming "God Bless Sweden."
Flag waving in the Nordic country has been misused by groups, particularly Nazis, and for some became a symbol of racism.
So, seeing the streets of Salt Lake City during the Olympics, where people distribute U.S. flags and slogans such as "United We Stand" and "God Bless America," presented somewhat of a culture shock to 18 visiting Swedish students.
But they're not necessarily passing judgment on American patriotism, either. It's all just part of the experience.
The teens, who go to the college-preparatory International College in Stockholm, are in town as part of an ongoing e-mail exchange with Orem High School.
The group, escorted by their teacher, Michael Cross, has been staying with host families and going all over the place: Dinosaur National Monument, Olympic events, ride-alongs with cops. They've also talked to students of teacher Bus Gillespie at Orem High and taken part in American high school culture: pizza parties, basketball games, and Friday, a dance.
"Basically, they're living the lifestyle here, compacted into two weeks," Cross said.
For some, it's a reality far different from the one portrayed in American TV.
"You don't see much of America that isn't Ricki Lake," student Fredrik For instance, students start school at age 7 and aren't required to move on to high school, though most do. High school students enter with a specialty, which is typically not adopted by Americans until college. Swedes pay higher taxes for health care and other social programs not available here.
The family dynamic also is different. As Swede Sanna Sundquist puts it: "I would not have a problem moving to the other end of the world" away from family.
Here, on the other hand, children often don't move too far away from home.
And in that vein, Happy Valley packed a hearty punch.
Orem seems isolated to the Swedish students, but in a quaint, close-knit way. Families are very important. The community is safe, friendly, and outgoing, whereas Swedes are more reserved.
"The first time I stand at a bus stop alone, and I'm not afraid," Trifa Abdulla said.
Some visiting students also are amazed there is no squabbling in Salt Lake over whose country will be best at the Winter Games. Instead, people approach visitors from different nations in a friendly way.
And religion came as a surprise, too. Sure, they knew about Utah and the predominance of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but they see the values taught there spilling into everyday life, classroom discussions and politics.
"I'm surprised religion means so much to people here," student Maria Zeito said.
Yet Swedes and their American host families have much in common, too.
"The first day was kind of weird — I didn't know what to expect," said Orem student Amy Knight, whose family is hosting Sundquist and Melissa Norstrght was talking in a hallway at Orem High, Norstr, Zeito's host, shared similar stories.
"We're all seeking to know and all seeking to understand each other."
E-MAIL: jtcook@desnews.com
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February 23, 2002
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