By Mitchell Budde and David Altmann
On September 30, 2009 16 students stepped off a plane into a brand new country. After the 12 hour flight from Frankfurt to Minneapolis, with a stop in Amsterdam, the exchange students arrived around 4:30 p.m. They were met by their host students, with whom they had been paired with last spring, at the Minneapolis Air Port.
“It is very different here than in Germany and England,” said exchange student Michael Zentgraf, “The people are very friendly, and I can’t wait to get to know more about them.”
The exchange program, which started in 2001, will be participating in its fifth exchange. Each German student paid about $1260 to make the trip over to America. BHS students heading to Germany this summer will pay $1800 to make the trip. This program has offered the students and schools a unique experience.
“I like that it brings other people into my students lives,” said German teacher Michele Strassburg, “There’s a lot of excitement with the students who are a part of this. It bring our languages alive.”
There are many different activities and experiences the exchange students will get to take a part in. They will go to Mall of America, tour Fort Snelling, the State Capitol, and the twin cities. The German students and there hosts will also go to the Water Park of America, and participate in activities like costume parties.
“I want to see the Twin Cities,” said Zentgraf, ” I also want to get to know people here, and learn about America and its language.”
These 21 days will be a learning experience for the German and American students alike. This program gives German students a unique, first hand experience of America and its culture.
“People [Germans] are fascinated with America,” said Stefen Zuren, “Many of them have had siblings who have already come to the U.S. and are curious, and also see it portrayed on T.V. They want to find out what America is really about.”
