Katrina DeVaney is used to adapting to new countries and people. 

After all, she was born in India, lives in Vietnam and has called four other countries her home.  She lived in Texas for six years. So going to the United States for the journalism program at the National High School Institute at Northwestern University was not much of a culture shock, she said.

“It’s not some strange, foreign thing to me,” DeVaney said.

The 2008 cherub group represents 29 states, the District of Columbia, Sweden and Vietnam.  Despite differences in slang and food preferences, cherubs found connecting with one another easy.

Krystin Arneson, of Overland Park, Kan., said she was excited to live with a student from Vietnam.  She talked to DeVaney on Facebook and hoped she would be rooming with her before the program began.Arneson said she and DeVaney have a similar sense of humor.

“I’m really glad that I had the opportunity,” Arneson said of rooming with DeVaney. “We have way more in common than I thought that we would. I think most of the differences are just the crazy, quirky side of her personality.”

Natalie Stumpf, of Piedmont, Calif., roomed with Hillevi Gustafson, of Horby, Sweden.  When Stumpf and Gustafson were discussing clothing, Gustafson mentioned she had attended a Christmas party in a castle and caught Stumpf off guard.

“There is random stuff like that that doesn’t seem like a big deal, but it’s just funny,” Stumpf said.

Gustafson said she appreciates the chance to meet teenagers from all across the United States.

“It’s fun because the only places I’ve ever been in the states before is Nebraska and Chicago,” she said.  “I’ve never really hung out with people from Florida or California.”

Gustafson said she adjusted quickly to living in Evanston and the college atmosphere, with the exception of one thing.

“I’m still trying to get used to the food,” she said.          

Alberto Sandoval, of Fresno, Calif., said he is enjoying the opportunity to meet people from places outside of his hometown.

“Usually I’m closed off in Fresno,” he said.  “People here are more understanding.  It’s more of a concentration of good, well-thinking people.”