SANFORD — They’re into movies, shopping at the mall, fast food and high school sports. Typical teenagers in just about any American town, right?

Right, except these seven teens hail from far-flung locations, from China to Europe and Scandinavia to South America.

They’ve been here since last autumn, when they began classes at Sanford High School through a couple of student exchange programs.

And while Sanford High School hosts a few exchange students every year, this year marks the largest group ever, said Guidance Counselor Steve Turgeon.

The students have been experiencing life in a small Maine town, practicing their English and broadening their knowledge of life in America.

For Shuang “Mokke” Chen, 16, of Beijing, China, a year in the United States will be followed by university in New Zealand, where she plans to study finance and psychology.

Simon Lardner, 18, hails from Sweden and is playing hockey for Sanford High School. He’ll be headed back home after this year, where he has another year of school.

Leonie Rodewald is one of three students from Germany. In the U.S. since July, she took part in a language and culture camp in Vermont before making her way to Sanford.

Sonia Swiatloch, 15, is the youngest member of the group and also hails from Germany. She’s following in the footsteps of her sister, who also did a year abroad.

Juan Hernandez, 17, is from Columbia, and played soccer here during the season. He plans to go to college back home and study medicine.

Tammy Wiese, 17, of Germany, has been on a couple of short-term exchanges in the past, to Poland and Malta.

Victoria Lobo Antuna likes the fact that in America, a driver’s license is available at 16 ”“ in Spain, where she lives, the driving age is 18.

The upsides, so far?

School sports, hanging out with friends,  shopping, Reese’s peanut butter cups, and winter for some, but not for all.

“It’s cold, too much snow,” said Wiese.

The downside? Well, shopping is a big hit, but the mall, the habitual hang-out for teens pretty much everywhere, is an hour away ”“ not so bad if a friend has a car, but the lack of public transportation can make a mall adventure difficult if no car is available.

“You always need a car here,” said Wiese, explaining that where she lives in Germany, one can walk to shopping or other venues.

But the shopping? A bargain, the students reveal.

Jeans in Sweden and Columbia are pricey, compared to American prices.

“I’ve not paid less than $100 for jeans (in Sweden),” said Lardner, who said he keeps the U.S-Swedish exchange rate prominently displayed on his computer. Hernandez snagged a pair for $20 ”“ a bargain compared to his home country. And all of the students marveled at the sale signs that proclaim 25 and 50 percent off.

A local favorite is Smitty’s Cinema, the students, said, where you can have a meal and watch a movie at the same time ”“ which doesn’t happen at cinemas in their home countries.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Lardner.

Lardner’s host “parents” are Ronald and Phyllis Gagnon, who have two older sons and a third son, Ben, who is Lardner’s age, 18. They both played high school football during the season and are playing hockey now.

Phyllis Gagnon said it is the first time the family has hosted an exchange student and she’s enjoying the experience.

“Simon has fit right in since day one, Simon’s great,” she said. She said Ben and Simon are like brothers. They hang out together sometimes, but each has a set of friends.

“We’re learning as much from him as he is from us,” she said. Lardner was able to spend a week at St. Anselm College in New Hampshire, getting a feel of college life with another of their sons, Alex, and Lardner’s parents came for a visit in December.

Hernandez said his host family keeps shire horses, and he’s been to a few shows ”“ including the Big E in Springfield, Mass. In February, he’ll go to Florida with his host family, where temperatures may be closer to the 85 degrees that is typical of Columbia.

Many have travel plans with their host families. Lardner has already been skiing at a number of locations, Rodewald will spent April vacation in Florida and Wiese will spend time in Montreal and then go to New York in April. Swiatloch spent New Year’s holiday in Florida, and others will make some trips as well.

Most of the students say school classes are easier here than at home.

“No multiple choice” in Sweden, Lardner noted, while Hernandez said he’s considered an excellent student here, but average in Columbia.

Wiese said she doesn’t have to study as much as at home.

Mokke, who is used to life in busy Beijing, said she spends most of her free time here with friends.

Lobo Antuna admitted a passion for fast food, but all said they don’t understand Americans’ attraction to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Students in the exchange programs said they can choose the country where they want to study, but not the area.

Rodewald said the U.S. has been an attraction for her for some time.

“I’ve always wanted to come here,” she said.

— Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 or twells@journaltribune.com.