Sven-Ole Andersen

Sven (German native speaker) was born in a country that now no longer exists (GDR/East Germany). Authorities wanted to deny his Northern European first name (“’Sven-Ole’ is not a name!”). His mom had to visit the agency several times for approval. He was a misfit because he had family in the West. After reunification he was sometimes a misfit because he was from the East. Later, in the U.S., some saw in him a Russian spy. Now, he enjoys teaching, writing, sports, and cat where many want to vacation. People continue to pronounce his name ‘Seven’.