Although Lawrence has hosted many German students through the high school exchange program, this year’s students have an advantage over their predecessors: they met their hosts several months ago, when the Free State students came to Germany.
“I was really excited because I had already lived with [Luise Janusch] when I went to Germany, so I was really excited to see her again” senior Emily Vanschmus said.
However, being a host can have its downsides. Senior Lexi Adams confesses that being a host can be a little overwhelming on top of marching Band, Chamber Singers and college applications.
“It’s really difficult,” Adams said. “I wish I had more time to take [Lara Krummel] around places in Lawrence or hang out. I feel lucky to be a part of this, but I can’t give up commitments I’ve already taken. So, it’s difficult. I sleep less than I already do, but it’s worth it.”
Even with their busy schedules, the hosts have been able to show the German exchange students great places around Lawrence.
“We’ve been downtown, we’ve been out to eat, and I took [Louise] to the state fair where everything is fried and nobody has teeth,” Vanschmus said.
Luckily, poor dental hygiene among some Kansans has not seemed to taint their first impressions of the region.
“There are a lot of different people here who can wear what they want and act how they like and be proud of who they are,” Janusch said.
However, the American spirit is not unfamiliar to the students.
“Everything was like I expected, Eva Jonas said, “Just because Germans know a lot about Americans, like the stereotypes. I think they’re mainly true.”
“I think the biggest surprise was when we came to America was that all the expectations that I had were true,” Lara Krummel agreed. “I hadn’t expected that it would really be the way we expected like in the movies. People dress, well, some people dress like they do in the movies. They act the same. It’s really cool. In a good way”
Germany’s school system is structured unlike those of the United States and the United Kingdom.
“School is really different because our high school is from fifth to twelfth grade so we don’t have a junior high,” sophomore Florian Eichblatt said. “We have three types of high schools. One is gymnasium for the really good students, Realschule for the average students, and Hauptschule for the students with bad marks,” said sophomore Florian Eichblatt
All four of Free State’s German exchange students go to Gymnasium.
“There aren’t extracurricular activities after school [in Germany] because you join groups with the town or the city,” Eichblatt said, “so the school spirit is one of the main reasons I came to America for one year. I really feel it here.”
Learning English is mandatory in Germany, starting right after primary school (Grundschule) at fifth grade. In America, Spanish is the only language that can be taken first, in eighth grade.
“At some point you start to think [in] English, but you have to concentrate all the time, Krummel said, “but it’s okay because we learn [English] in school.”
“I’ve been studying English for over five years and started French in sixth grade, so that’s two languages for over four years. [In America] you start languages in eighth grade, and that’s really late.”
The students have also noticed that classes at Free State have a largely relaxed atmosphere.
“The classes are smaller,” Jonas said, “but I don’t know if it’s just here in the school. They’re not as disciplined.”
Adams noticed the opposite in Germany.
“I never saw a kid even dare to text in class,” she said. “They seemed surprised that I always brought my camera with me.”
Although they may seem a world apart, the American and German students have found common interest and are making friends for life.
While staying with their hosts, the exchange students are practically members of the family.
“Having Lara around has brought the family together, Adams said, “and I hope it stays that way after she leaves, too” Lexi Adam hopes.