At age nine, Radhika Patel and her family emigrated from Sweden to America.

Patel didn’t know any English when she first moved.

“I took English as a Second Language (ESL) for two years instead of a language arts class,” Patel said.

Patel admitted it wasn’t easy adjusting and she had a tough time at first.

“I had to look up like every word in a sentence so I could answer a question,” Patel said.

After a while Patel met some girls that became her good friends and helped make her transition a little easier.

Regarding the cultural differences, Patel said America differs greatly from Sweden.

Patel said American culture is ultimately more competitive than Swedish culture.

“It’s hard to explain, but people [in America] are just different,” Patel said.

Though the Patels have lived in America for seven years they still speaks their native language of Swedish.

Patel admitted she still misses Sweden and her friends there.

“I miss my friends from Sweden but I try to write them as often as I can,” Patel said, “but I’ve also made some really great friends here in America.”

Though Patel misses her home country, she has also come to love America as well.

“I like America but Sweden is the best,” Patel said.