Meet Magda

MAGDALENA “MAGDA” SASS IS A 15-YEAR-OLD POLISH STUDENT SPENDING THE YEAR AT GPS THROUGH THE ASSIST PROGRAM.

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO PURSUE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEND A YEAR IN THE U.S.?

To study in an American high school always seemed like an unrealistic dream for me. It seemed too far away. But during quarantine I was watching Netflix and thought, ‘Oh my gosh, I really want to go to America!’ So I started looking for opportunities and programs and found ASSIST. The deadline for the application was in two weeks, so I didn’t have much time, but I was able to get it done. All my teachers supported me and so did my parents.

WERE YOU NERVOUS TO COME TO AN ALLGIRLS’ SCHOOL?

Oh yes, I was very nervous. I get along with boys, so I was stressed thinking I wouldn’t make any friends, or they wouldn’t like me, or they would be judgemental, but it was the total opposite! They’re so understanding and nice! No one judges you here. I was also worried that I would only be spending time with girls here, but there are so many socials and dances where we can meet and hang out with boys. So everything has gone perfectly. I would go to an all-girls school in Poland if I could!

WHAT’S BEEN YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT GPS SO FAR?

Honestly, probably the uniforms are one of the best things at GPS. First, they’re very pretty, and there’s also a lot of history behind them. Girls can wear them in different ways and express themselves. So you can see that we’re all equal but special in our own different ways. I love how you can mix it with your own style. Beyond that, people are just very open and friendly, and the teacher and student relationship is much different. They’re willing to help, and you can talk about your life, not just school life. So that was a very surprising thing for me. They ask how your day was, how you are feeling. It’s been great to get to know them and be close with them.

HAVE YOU ENJOYED YOUR TIME WITH YOUR HOST FAMILY?

Yes, definitely! I’m staying with Emmaline Hill first semester. She’s the best host sister ever! She’s very friendly, helps me a lot, and she introduced me to her friends and has helped me get to know people. She also translates all the slang words for me. My host mom is a sweetheart. I love her, too. She makes breakfast and really cares about me. I also love my host dad and my host brothers. I don’t have brothers at home, so that has been new to me. Now I wish I had a brother, too! Second semester, I'll be staying with Sophie McGee, and I’m excited to get to know her family.

MAGDA’S FAVORITE AMERICAN FOODS SO FAR:

» Chicken nuggets and fries » Mac and cheese » Three Musketeers

WHAT WAS THE FIRST THING YOU WANTED TO DO WHEN YOU GOT TO AMERICA?

Probably try new food. I know that a lot of American fast foods are so popular, so I wanted to try those. Chick-fil-A is my favorite restaurant so far. Besides that, I wanted to visit some cool cities. We went to Phoenix, Arizona, for fall break to visit Emmaline’s uncle. I saw scorpions! The weather was so hot. It was a different American experience. I bought a lot of postcards to send to family and friends.

WHAT IS ONE THING YOU WISH MORE PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT POLAND OR POLISH PEOPLE?

Polish people are very hardworking, and they’re very open and helpful. They have the best food on this planet! I really miss my Polish food. We have a lot of soups and meat and potatoes dishes. It’s very different. Here there’s a lot more fast food—meals are like snacks combined together. Also, I wish people knew our history and folk culture. The beauty of that is indescribable. Everyone has to visit the mountains because it’s much different.

POLISH GOŁĄBKI

INGREDIENTS

1 head cabbage, cored 2 tablespoons butter 1 large onion, chopped ½ pound ground pork 1 ½ cups cooked rice 1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, plus more to taste

DIRECTIONS

» Fill a large pot with water, bring to a boil, and salt it. » Place the whole head of cabbage in the boiling water. Cover and cook for 3 minutes or until softened enough to pull off individual leaves. » When leaves are cool enough to handle, cut away the thick center stem from each leaf. Be careful not to cut all the way through. » After retrieving 18 leaves, chop the remaining cabbage and place it in the bottom of a casserole dish with a lid or a Dutch oven. » Heat up a large skillet, melt the butter, and add the chopped onion.

Cook until tender and remove from the heat to let cool. » Mix the cooled onion with the pork, cooked rice, garlic, salt, and black pepper until well combined. Don't overmix or the meat will become tough. » Flatten a cabbage leaf on a cutting board or work surface and place about 1/2 cup of the meat filling. » Flip the right side of the leaf to the middle, then flip the left side; flip the bottom of the leaf to create an envelope shape; repeat with all leaves. » Heat the oven to 350°F. » Place the cabbage rolls, seam down, on top of the chopped cabbage in the casserole dish or Dutch oven. Season each layer with salt and pepper. » Bake for 1 hour or until cabbage is tender and meat is cooked. » Serve with a drizzle of sour cream, or alternatively, mix the pan juices with the sour cream and ladle it over the cabbage rolls. Enjoy!