The Fourcast sits with sophomore Isabel, a new day student from Luxembourg who arrived to Dallas with her family after holiday break in January. This is the first time she is studying at an American school.

Fourcast: What brings you to Hockaday?

Isabel: My family moved here because of my dad’s job. I was looking at different schools in the area, and Hockaday was my favorite. And thankfully they let me come in the middle of the year. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming. It felt like there was a very good atmosphere here at the school both with the teachers and students.

F: Tell us about Luxembourg.

I: I lived in Luxembourg for seven years. I had most of my school there. Before then I was in England; I was born there. I have never lived in the U.S. before. My dad was born in England, and he moved to Michigan when he was 17. My mom is from Minnesota.

F: What’s it like to live in Luxembourg?

I: You have a lot of freedom. It’s a very safe country…People are very friendly, although it can be hard when you don’t speak the language, because the local people don’t always speak English….There are a lot of fun historic places you can visit; there is good shopping there and really nice places to eat. And there are a lot of cafés, where you can just hang out with friends and eat. My favorite one is called Downtown Café. Everyone goes there after school.

F: What’s your favorite place to shop in Luxembourg?

I: There is the place called the Casemates. It was from WWII, and it’s where people in Luxembourg used to hide when Germany was bombing them. It was built underground and you can walk through it. It is like an underground village. It’s very well preserved.

F: What is different about your old school and Hockaday?

I: I have never been at an all-girls school and haven’t worn uniform for seven years. And I do appreciate that we are given more free time during the day at Hockaday, like conference and Y period. Also I have more freedom choosing classes here. In ninth and tenth grades in Luxembourg, your classes are basically assigned. You don’t get to choose what classes to take [until eleventh grade].

F: What’s your favorite part of Hockaday now that you have been here for a week?

I: The overall school spirit I’d say. Like today is the Serendipity Day, and I didn’t really have things like this in the past; things that makes it more into a school. And I really like my ceramics class. I have never had the opportunity to do ceramics before…U.S. Government is a very difficult class to me, because I have never studied about American history at school.