Why did you decide to enroll in your first GAPP exchange program?
There were two things that helped me make my decision. First, I really liked my German teacher and she was going. She helped convince me it would be a fun experience. Second, I had just quit the swimming team. I had swam for 12 years all the way up to high school, but I was looking to try something new. I’m glad I did, because the exchange was really fun.
When did you go to Germany, and where did you stay?
My first trip there was in July of 2018. I stayed with my host family in Blieskastel, a city in the Saar-Palatinate district of Germany. It is a small town. There were no planes that went straight to Blieskastel, we first had to fly into Frankfurt and take a two hour train just to get there.
Did you travel to other locations while you were in Germany?
Yes, all of the German and American students took a trip to Saarbrücken to see the German parliament, and we had a tour of the city. We also went to Salzburg for four days, and Munich. Then my host family took me to Paris for a day. It was amazing how close it was. In the United States I feel like you have to drive so far to get to any notable place. To get to Paris we just had to take a four or five hour bus ride.
Do you feel like Germans are different from Americans?
There are small differences. I feel like Germans are very straight forward compared to Americans; they don’t beat around the bush. I was also shocked at how much they go grocery shopping, they get fresh produce way more than we do at home.
How was education in Germany different from education in America?
I think that in the United States we are a lot closer to our teachers, more friendly on a student-teacher level. But students in Germany are also much more respectful towards their teachers, which I really liked. I’m not sure if it has to do with how big American schools are compared to German schools, but the teachers in America usually get less respect.
What were some things you liked about German culture?
Honestly, I really love the food. I like how Germans take time to make food at home. In America I feel like we go out to eat all the time. I especially loved the bread, it's amazing. I miss it all the time. I also like the way college is handled in Germany. If you want to go to college they can set you up for that, but there are plenty of other options (e.g. apprenticeships, vocational school etc.) and you are free to choose your own path. In the United States, they basically tell everyone to go to college, it's just what you are expected to do after high school.
What was one of your favorite parts from your GAPP exchange?
I’ve gone back twice since 2018, that's just how much I love it there. For me, my favorite part is the people, my host family, and the friends I made. Our whole group is still so close, we talk all the time. I remember a moment when we were leaving Salzburg, and all the kids were in a huge circle just balling. We didn’t want to leave each other, we were crying on the whole train ride as well.
If you had to pick your funniest memory from any of your trips to Germany, what would it be?
At the end of our time staying with our host partners, we had to perform this talent show. All of the German students were really talented, because they had to take a music or acting class. All the kids from America weren't super musically inclined, so we didn’t really have a talent to show off. So we had like four of us create this dance to a Spice Girls song, and we had to perform it in front of all our partners and parents. Everyone was just cracking up, we were so uncoordinated. But everyone said they loved it.
Looking back, how did your exchange shape your path going forward?
When I enrolled in the exchange, I was just coming off quitting the thing I loved most: Swimming. I had swam for twelve years, so after that was done I was looking for a new passion. Luckily I found it: travel. The travel bug bit me, as they say, during my exchange. Ever since then I just love to see what's out there and experience it. It also showed me that I can have good experiences traveling alone. A lot of the time I was in Germany we didn’t have our teachers or host families around, and I had to be proactive about traveling by myself. I know a lot of people older than me that would never travel alone, but I’ve found that even when I have to speak a foreign language, I can comfortably get around solo.
What would be your advice to a high school student who is considering doing an exchange?
Don’t be afraid of anything. Go in with an open mind, and have a good time. Also, tell your host partner what you want to do. 99 percent of the time they are waiting for you to take the initiative, but they really want you to have a positive experience. Overall I would say if you are thinking about going but you're hesitant, you should absolutely go. It was one of the best experiences of my life, and I found some of my closest friends while doing it.
