Letters to the Editor

January 13, 2008

Exchange student program great way to learn about others

I am a German exchange student living with the Herr family in Mountain Top. I have been here since August and will go home in June.

More than a year ago, I had to decide whether I would go to work after I graduated from 10 years of school or for three more years of school and then college. In Germany there are three school options. One ends after nine years, one after 10 years and one after 13 years.

My mom said I should try an exchange student program. I applied to American Field Service. I was interviewed to see if my family and I were willing to be a part of the exchange program and whether I could survive being away from home for almost a year. Then I had to choose where I wanted to go.

Out of 80 counties, I chose the United States as my first choice, and some South American countries were my second choice. At 3 a.m. Aug. 10, I started my trip from Germany to the United States. When I arrived in the United States, I underwent orientation and a day later I got to meet my host family. I did not know much about the Herrs, only their address and some information we had exchanged by e-mail.

In the beginning I did not understand every word, but it has gotten easier. I was impressed by how big everything was in this country. The cars, grocery stores, houses, yards and highways are just a few things that are bigger.

I had to learn the rules in this house compared to at home. The first few days in school were exciting because the U.S. school system is different from ours. In Germany I often would hang out with my friends after school and go to a caf� or disco. Sometimes I get in trouble when I am doing things that would be OK in Germany but not here, but I can do things I never would do in Germany that are normal here.

It has not been easy, especially at Christmas, away from family and friends. I stay in touch by writing letters and e-mails. I can only call home once a month. My host family helped me through the rough times. They are nice to me, and that makes this a fun experience. I learned that things are not worse or better, they are different. I think the AFS program is a great way to make international friends and learn to understand different cultures. I am having the best time of my life.

If you want to be an exchange student, go to www.usa.afs.org and fill out the online application. There are many ways to get scholarships. It could be the best experience of your life with friendships that last a lifetime.

Friedemann Nonnenmacher Mountain Top

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