He is articulate, polite, an athlete and he is Windham Tech’s first ever foreign exchange student.  Daniel Bursas was born on May 3 1991 in Stockholm, Sweden.  Daniel came to the United States to experience American culture including its school system. 

Q:  What is the name of the exchange program that brought you to us and what did you have to do to get accepted?

A:  It’s called Youth for Understanding.  I had to take an English test on listening and understanding.  I also had to write a letter to a host family and go on one interview.  The interview was like a job interview. 

Q:  How did you choose Windham Tech?

A:  My house parents chose Windham Tech for me.

Q:  How do you like Windham Tech?

A:  I like it here but there are a lot more rules than what I’m used to, which I find to be common in the United States.  I also notice behavioral issues are more of a problem in the United States then in Sweden.

 Q:  Do you see a lot of behavioral issues here at school or outside of school.

A:  I find the people here to be fair and kind.  Most of the issues I notice are outside of school. 

Q:  What is your favorite part of Windham Tech?

A:  The Architectural classes and cross country.  In Sweden I ran a lot on my own.  Here I have a coach and I’m still getting used to someone telling me what to do. 

Q:  You get a lot of praise here as a good runner.  How did you train in Sweden?

A:  Self discipline.  I ran everyday for miles and even in the winter time.  It’s relaxing for me to run.  I get out all of the aggression the day brings. 

Q:  How is school different in Sweden?

A:  In Sweden school is called gymnasium and you go to school until you are 20 years old, then you do army services for two years, and then you apply to the university and you don’t usually graduate from there until you are 25 years old. 

Q:  Tell me about your house parents?

A:  They are really nice people.  I have a host sister, her name is Ashley and I have a house brother, his name is Patrick. 

Q:  What do you miss the most about home?

A:  My bike, it was my means of transportation.  There is not a lot of public transportation around here.  You need a car or get a ride from someone to get around or go places. 

Q:  What places have you visited since being in America?

A:  Niagara Falls and Vermont. The fall foliage was beautiful in Vermont we don’t have that in Sweden. 

Q:  Do you like American food?

A:  Yes, I like the Asian Bistro.  There are a lot of Chinese restaurants in America.  In Sweden we eat mostly Salmon, potatoes, and ram.  Ram is orange eggs from fish. 

Q:  Is there a major difference in American boys than Sweden boys?

A: Boys are boys no matter where you live.

Q:  How about American girls?

A:  American girls are more outgoing than in Sweden.  In Sweden girls are hard to talk to and they stay within their groups.  I find American girls to be easy to talk to and have more confidence to break out of their groups.

Q:  What do you do for fun?

A:  Sleep, play with my host brother and sister, go to school and walk the dog.

Q: What did you do for fun in Sweden?

A:  Play computer games. Hang out at coffee shops with my friends, sleep, and work at a restaurant… and my favorite is when I get to take out my boat.

Q:  What will you do when you get back to Sweden?

A:  I have three more years of school and I will work for my dad full time.

Q:  How will being in the Architectural Technology program help you in Sweden?

A:  My skills will be better than other kids and I believe I will be able to complete subjects in architecture faster than most. 

Q: Overall are you enjoying your visit to the United States?

A: Yes, very much.  I will be here until mid July. I’m excited to experience the four different seasons, seeing the Grand Canyon, and other places we hear so much about in Sweden. 

What the cross country coach had to say about Daniel:

I found it fun to work with an athlete with a different perspective.  Daniel is very fitness oriented and running is only a part of his whole training program.  Because high school athletics is non-existent in Sweden, it took time to develop a working “coach-athlete” relationship.