Why did you decide to participate in a GAPP exchange at the time?
My school offered various student exchange programs. At that time, the USA was a dream country for me. I’ve always been interested in American history and am an avid film and cinema buff.
The four-week exchange program took place in the spring of 1995 at Palisades High School in Kintnersville, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia. In the summer of 1995, the American exchange students came to Fichte Gymnasium in Krefeld.
What were your expectations before the trip?
It was my first flight, and I was very nervous, even though we had spent a year preparing for the exchange at school. All the GAPP preparation documents are still in my parents’ attic.
In the end, however, my expectations were exceeded. I found the Americans very, very cordial. GAPP has not only developed my skills in intercultural exchange but also in intercultural understanding. I still have a photo from our GAPP trip to the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg and one with my host family on my desk.
Tell us about your host family!
My host family was absolutely amazing! It consisted of a dog, two cats, four children, a grandmother and, of course, the parents. They all lived in a big house in a forest with a pond. The three animals usually lounged in bed with me most mornings. I was fully integrated. Since my host family knew that I was really interested in the “Civil War”, they gave me literature on the subject and organized a trip to Gettysburg for me.
During the farewell ceremony at the end of the exchange in high school, I cried my eyes out. I was also very surprised that my exchange father was not there. At some point, he must have realized that I had never eaten a burrito in my life, so on our last day, he drove from work straight to the airport to buy me a burrito before I left. I will never forget that. Five years later, in 2000, I visited my host family again.
There are many people with German roots in the Philadelphia region…
I noticed that. There are many families of German origin and historic buildings with German names.
Thirteen families from Krefeld were among the first Germans to emigrate to the USA in 1683, and they founded “German Town”, now a district of Philadelphia. I found my name Eickemeyer in the Ellis Island immigration register, people who emigrated to the US more than 200 years ago. Since the last name is rather rare, they are likely distant relatives of mine.
How was your school experience in the United States?
I found school in the USA to be very different. I was surprised at the time that subjects were divided into individual modules. For example, there was not only history but also a number of in-depth studies, such as “European History of the 19th Century” or “Western Civilizations”. Among other things, I also took a course in “English Literature”, in which we studied Shakespeare. Each student had a different lesson plan due to their choice of different courses. I didn’t know that from middle school in Germany. I also found the German lessons, during which I supported the two German teachers, Judy Greenhalgh and Carol Harder, very exciting. I even independently supervised groups of American students.
How did the exchange affect your future life?
I spent 18 years in the film and cinema industry, including 11 years working for a major American production studio. My experience in the USA, the everyday life of an American family, and the social interactions during the exchange helped me a lot as an employee in an American company. I felt I could better understand the decisions made at the Los Angeles headquarters.
How did your American exchange partners like their stay in Germany?
The American students who visited Krefeld in the summer of 1995 enjoyed their independence very much. The good public transportation network made them less dependent on adults. Hanging out around town and meeting friends after school was easy. I believe that life in Germany gave them a degree of freedom they were not used to in the United States.
What advice would you give current exchange students?
Go into the exchange with an open mind and without prejudice! I believe the prejudices on both sides have unfortunately increased in recent years. So, it is all the more important for the participants to prepare for the travel experience without getting themselves get sucked into stereotypes. Be open-minded, interested, but also levelheaded. Enjoy the trip, the experiences, and the time with your host family. My American host family took me in as one of theirs, even though I was only there for four weeks. Even after 27 years, my host mother calls me ‘my German son’, and I call them my ‘American family’.
