Swedish student experiences local life
By Joann Groff joann@theacorn.com

Hannah Kaufman

Many students can't wait for the day they'll hang up their backpacks for good, but for Hannah Kaufman, 17, school was something she couldn't get enough of.

After graduating from high school in Sweden at 15 and attending a year of music college, Hannah decided to move to California for a year at an American high school.

Hannah, a selfdescribed "vibrant and crazy person," was born in Tarzana. She and her mother, stepfather and three sisters moved to Sweden when she was 7.

Her father and some of his family still live in the area, and she visits in the summers, so it seemed the logical place to come.

"I wanted to broaden my views, learn about different cultures," Hannah said.

After a year of studying blues, operatic singing and saxophone, Hannah planned on devoting some time to her music while in high school. But the workload didn't allow much time for her hobby.

"I found the academics to be a lot more work," Hannah said. "It's insane amounts of work compared to high school and college in Sweden."

Hannah was a staffer on her school's newspaper, the Calabasas Courier, and works several jobs at catering companies on the weekends and as a secretary after school.

She's also been a background singer for Which One's Pink?, a Pink Floyd tribute band, on and off since she was 14.

As is typical for Hannah, her future isn't planned and looks like it will be based on her feelings in the moment. Possibilities are studying business or communications at University of California, Santa Cruz, returning to music college in Sweden, going to Irvine and eventually joining the Peace Corps or visiting Africa.

"As far as a career, I'd like to do something creative, but it has to be something productive for society," she said.

Hannah knows one thing though: she won't be staying in America or in Sweden past her school years.

"I want more opportunities than are provided to me in Sweden," Hannah said. "But I hate American government- all the laws and restrictions. I might end up moving around a lot.

"I want to live in some country where people are very free," she added.

Despite her view on U.S. laws, Hannah said she's never regretted coming to high school for a year.

"In the beginning I was iffy about staying, but at the same time, I felt it would make me stronger," Hannah said.

"I gained the perspective I was looking for, and I've become a more intelligent person, not from the homework, but from the lectures and the things teachers would say beyond teaching."

Hannah said her principals at Calabasas High School "helped her tremendously" and her peers were what made the experience so great for her.

Being known as the "quirky" person who wears socks under her flipflops and looks like Dorothy of Oz with a funny accent has been hilarious for her, she said.

"Anything to make someone smile is worth my time," Hannah said. "I love everybody in my class. It's such a blend of personalities that all melt together so well."