Changing from one school to another is a difficult process for students, especially for those in the exchange program. With a mindset to learn about American life, students from Stuttgart, Germany took on the challenge of leaving their home country for two weeks.
Students from Millard West graciously applied to participate in the program and anxiously waited for their day of arrival on Wednesday, Oct. 30. When they arrived, the Germans would stay in a student’s house and get to know their daily class schedule at Millard West. With what started as getting matched with an American student, the Germans excitedly waited for their arrival in America.
“Six to eight months prior to the German’s arrival, Frau Turner and I start to recruit host families from our German classes,” German teacher Wendy Langer said. “Once we had all the families, we had both the German and American students fill out a questionnaire that helps us match students. We ask about everything from allergies to hobbies. We then work with our German colleagues to find the best matches. Our German colleagues do all of the organization on their side for travel arrangements.”
After placing the German students with their American match, they worked out the kinks of getting them to Millard West. When they arrived, advisers and the students planned special events to keep them occupied during their time in America, showing them all that Nebraska has to offer.
“Many German students brought things to occupy themselves with during their downtime, such as books or their phones,” sophomore Sullivan Kuper said. “Many get restless, at least mine did when American students have homework or other activities. As a result, plenty of German students get bored and resort to playing with whatever you have in your house, talking to you a lot, or the kids of the exchange organize shopping sprees or parties. The teachers also plan field trips and events like seeing Elementary and Middle Schools, going on team building exercises, or seeing landmark locations like the Zoo or Luminarium. Plenty of host families plan their own events too like seeing Nebraska football games or going to Museums.”
For the Millard West students, the hosting journey began the year prior to the German’s arrival. Hosting comes with great responsibility, by making sure they are comfortable, and spending time with them, while also trying to manage school work. Although the two weeks might feel packed with activities, the students feel so much gratitude for taking on the role of showing them high school life in America.
“I thought it would be fun to welcome someone into my home from a different background to experience what life would be like here in Nebraska,” sophomore Chara Unrau said. “With them following me around all day, it is difficult to take them and teach them things while trying to manage and learn things yourself.”
Above all the struggles of getting the Germans to America, the experience was well worth the wait. Making memories and connecting the two cultures was one of the impactful reasons for the German Exchange Program. With these new long-lasting friendships, Millard West students are more excited than ever to join them in Germany next summer.
