Soren Pedersen, 17, got a hot and hazy introduction to Canada when arrived in 亚洲天堂 Lake last August in the middle of the wildfire season.

鈥淲hen I drove in from Prince George I was told that on some days you couldn鈥檛 see anything because of the heavy smoke,鈥� the Danish exchange student, who is staying in Rose Lake, told Lakes District 亚洲天堂 on Nov. 8.

Soren鈥檚 mother back in Silkeborg, Denmark was worried, but the disaster barely affected him, save for a school trek outing to Tweedsmuir Provincial Park that was canceled because of the fires.

He has found the community here to be welcoming and has made several friends at Lakes District Secondary School, where he is in Grade 11.

鈥淧eople know I鈥檓 an exchange student and people want to talk to me, and ask questions about Denmark and [my] language,鈥� he said.

The Rotary Club of 亚洲天堂 Lake organized the exchange program.

When not studying, he has kept himself busy by playing soccer, and going kayaking, canoeing and mountain biking.

He鈥檚 looking forward to the season of snowboarding and skiing, the experience of which is mediocre in Denmark because of the flatness of the country.

Few things about Canada challenge or bother him, but there have been a few surprises.

鈥淭he most shocking thing is the distance between cities,鈥� he said, and mentioned the 17-hour drive he endured when he attended provincial soccer playoffs in Duncan, on Vancouver Island.

His amazement is understandable, considering that tiny Denmark could fit into Canada more than 200 times!

The abundance of wildlife has been a pleasant eye-opener for him: 鈥淗ere I can see bears in the front yard!鈥�

He鈥檚 excited to experience a Canadian winter, as that season in Denmark brings only a little cold and snow, he said.

鈥淚 quite like snow but maybe I鈥檒l get tired of it eventually.鈥�