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Growing up in a European country and never witnessing what it's like to go to an American school, watching American high school comedies, to me, has always been a pretty surreal experience. I'm sure that most of you fellow non-Americans reading this article could relate to me on this.

There are so many things about American schools that have always seemed utterly fascinating to me. For instance, you get letter grades instead of number ones, schools have swimming pools inside them, there's a club for almost anything, you have to get a hall pass to go to the bathroom during class, and lunch meals are usually pretty bizarre. The list goes on. With that being said, Bored Panda invites you to look through this list of tweets from non-American Twitter users in which they share things that they find the strangest about American schools. Feel free to explain to us the things we don't understand or add your own in the comment section!

#1

American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

scultator Report

GC
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don’t ever know what A levels etc. are. One of these days I need to look it up.

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    #2

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    morosexuaI Report

    konnarw1
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    mine starts at 8:00 till 3:00

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    #3

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    bieberexhale Report

    Caitlin Davenport
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes, but the cheerleaders were just normal students, not stuck up and they didn't wear their uniforms in class.

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    #4

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    chromaticaution Report

    Jamziee
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes, because if you're in the hall without one, then you MUST be commiting murder (Sarcasm lads)

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    #5

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    hilaryagro Report

    Charlotte A.
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In Sweden it starts in august and ends in june. Nothing odd about it, to me.

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    #6

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    ShadyFennec Report

    #8

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    Nonisbitch Report

    Caitlin Davenport
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They used to have E as a failing grade, but people thought it meant Excellent, so they changed it to an F.

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    #9

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    kirstyclyne Report

    GlassHalfWay
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yep, even a snowboard & skiing club in the Midwest.

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    #10

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    Iivingxproof Report

    ramen noodle
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    huge, loud, head-ache inducing cafeterias.

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    #12

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    argentdols Report

    Aunt Messy
    Community Member
    Premium
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Canadian here. They don't close schools in Canada unless it's been colder than -40C for three days in a row.

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    #13

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    wintersfalcvn Report

    Imtiredandiwannagotobed
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Because we put all our budget into our announcements and lockers

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    #14

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    insatiate0 Report

    GlassHalfWay
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Because a gallon would be too heavy on the lunch tray.

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    #15

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    lisaislovesick Report

    #16

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    http_taehyungs Report

    Brett
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wish I had school lunch that good

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    #18

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    CryinInATaxi Report

    Eva Bryson
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes, teachers want you in class to learn, not loitering in the bathroom.

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    #19

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    alienrat Report

    SimplySarcastic40
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    yep...at least in the suburbs because most of us start driving at 16

    John Topper
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The key difference between the US and Europe is that in Europe 100 miles is a long distance and in the US 100 years is a long time. Everything is spaced much too far apart here to make walking practical.

    Citizen Josie
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We have more land. We don't have to live on top of each other. Only newyorkers live like that. They choose to do so.

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    zims
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If nothing else the teachers need somewhere to park

    Gwenda Christenson
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    where else would we park our cars (the people who work there)? as for students, usually only for high school --- where else would you park? when you live 20+ miles away from school you have to drive or be bussed.

    Calypso poet
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Our high school parking lot was so big it was a common place for people to practice maneuverability or parallel parking for their driving test. It held at least 200 cars.

    Phoenix
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes.....is this not a thing anywhere else?

    Sanne H.
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We just had a huge bicycle parking lot. Since driving is only allowed for 18+ and owning a car is quite expensive in NL, most kids went to school by bike, even when living 20 km from school. My physical health was pretty good in those days :-)

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    Angela Jester
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes, because once they have their license if they have access to a car most kids drive themselves to school.

    Troux
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Americans are more individually dependent upon cars than most countries. This is not news. We also have dedicated parking lots for restaurants, public parks, libraries and all kinds of other facilities which might not have them in countries with stronger public transport systems.

    Ivana
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes, a lot of country kids drive in because the bus route can take an hour and a half when everyone lives 40 minutes from school.

    Nia Loves Art
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes, where else would people park?

    jevais
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Parking lots are necessary as of 16 years old there's no bus to bring us to High Schools, hence we need a car. One must remember the distances are not the same in some European countries.

    Lauretta Payne
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    High schools, yes. Many parents would rather buy a car For their kids so the students can drive themselves to school, instead of parents driving the students, or the students taking the bus, it is also a status symbol among well-to-do students.

    Cybele Spanjaard
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not that many young people drive cars to school here in fact very few. Most get their driver's license at 17 then if lucky a car. No special parking spots are allocated for students like in the US. Our road rules are stricter too.

    Little Epic12
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    yup. teachers/visitor parking, bus parking, and then student parking.

    CincyReds
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Where are we supposed to park?

    Joanne Hudson
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We don't have much public transportation. My school incorporated kids from elementary schools all over the county for high school but there were a lot of small elementary schools for little ones.

    Keley Babs
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just like how we can't FATHOM a world where we could live WITHOUT OUR CAR!!!

    Celtic Pirate Queen
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes. Where else would we put the horses and covered wagons?

    Susan Egan
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes, for staff, parents, and when the older kids start to get to driving age for them.

    Kimberly Reetz
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh yeah and if you want a prime spot you need to have zero period.

    backatya
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    where are you suppose to park your car?

    Susan Thomas
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes. Smaller for primary, elementary and middle school because it’s only the teachers, staff and parent volunteers but high school has large ones since many juniors and seniors drive themselves to school.

    Flavia Slag
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes for students and teachers.

    Patti Renwick Parrish
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    yes, going to a larger high school we did have a decent size parking lot

    Faith Hurst
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Only if people drive to the school. Where do the adults on campuses park?

    elfin
    Community Member
    Premium
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well, they probably do if they have lots of students old enough to drive.

    MidNightWriter24
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes. And they are a literal NIGHTMARE to get out of during pick-up or drop-off.

    Emily Smith
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Staff and older students with cars gotta park somewhere!

    Logan Jones
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    One day a year, many country students would drive their tractors to school.

    SAF saf
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Two kids in 8th grade would drive their dads truck to school. we're able to get a drivers license pretty young.

    Citizen Josie
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    People are allowed to have driving license since they are 16. You are still in school at that age. So yes students and staff do have a parking spot

    Seth Linn
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This one confuses me, where else would people park?

    CatWoman312
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No we park on the football field. Wtf

    Benjamin Lensgraf
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    where else would I park my car after I drive to school?

    JessG
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What a stupid question. Most people start driving as a teenager. Also, staff and faculty actually drive too

    Jean H.
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeap...and you have to pay a fee to park in the lot!

    BABY_FOX_ヾ(•ω•)o
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My mom told me that she started driving at 18, and she is Japanese

    sylvantic
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    yeah. ours is small, but teachers need them, parents need them for dropping stuff off, the Robotics team needs it...

    lara
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yep, I drove to school, it was about twelve miles from my house. I wasn't going to walk.

    ArtistinResidence
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes and the seniors sometimes get first choice of where to park. We have our seniors and juniors park in the front and our sophomore’s park in the back with the teachers. So many students have cars and need to drive to school and then go to work afterwards that American schools provide parking. This would not be true in urban areas like New York city.

    Betsy Knox
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wish that was true. My high school got a lot of complaints from all the students' cars parked in front of their homes.

    Roadkill The Brave
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Every school I went to, even the K-12, had a parking lot. All my schools offered Drivers Ed too.

    Roadkill The Brave
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Y'all have got to remember car culture is a thing in the U.S. and public transportation isn't especially in the Midwest. We need cars or we can't get anywhere cheap...ish.

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    Helen Haley
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes. Working parents and no real public transport means a lot of kids start driving to school as soon as their state licenses them.

    CR Harvey
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Lots of kids drive in. Status thing.

    PjandBolt
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We have a parking lot specifically for the students, and if you park wrong or this and that random crap then the school will put a humongous sicker across your car that's almost impossible to remove. I'm glad I walk!!

    Random Person
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Where else will the teachers and students over 16 park?

    Erin Kavik
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not American and my school's main open space that wasn't grass was a car park. For the teachers though.

    Caitlin Davenport
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes, don't have public transportation that is worth a d*mn. Teachers and some students drive to school.

    The Zooble
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My school has a parking lot and it's definitely not in America

    Kyle D
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Of course, where do you think teachers park? Presuming you mean student parking, some high schools do. My class was over 700 people, not everyone of them was able to ride the bus.

    Whitney Anderson
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    i am 14 and i already have my licence

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    #20

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    _smell_ya_later Report

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    #21

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    sapphicnile Report

    The Zooble
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    To be very honest, I'm English and I usually do page count rather than word count

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    #22

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    LazarusRags Report

    konnarw1
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    yeah i wondered this and are the woman stale or something lol

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    #24

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    livculture Report

    #25

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    bollobas Report

    Caitlin Davenport
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So we aren't "distracted". Even rooms with windows usually had the blinds closed.

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    #26

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    unsaidalex Report

    Caitlin Davenport
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not really. We have nearby schools we compete against in sports, but any rivalry is very light-hearted.

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    #27

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    prostrider Report

    SimplySarcastic40
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    we had an apple machine...for $0.20 you got an apple.

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    #28

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    hemsbucky Report

    Brett
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The high school I’m going to does

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    #29

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    aidansarson7 Report

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    #31

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    00lisa0 Report

    konnarw1
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    yeah sorry but you should move to america.(JK)

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    #32

    American-Schools-Weird-Things-Non-Americans

    ThaumPenguin Report

    Caitlin Davenport
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Candy was usually a very tiny part, if it was there at all. But it was the most exciting part!

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