STUDY ABROAD: German students enjoy visit to Manchester

By Alana West, Special Writer

Twelve girls from Berlin went home last week with memories that will last them a lifetime of an America they had once pictured only from the movies.

The girls were German exchange students who stayed with host families in Manchester during their three-week tour that included a trip to New York City, Chicago and Detroit. The exchange program is in its 18th year at Manchester High School.

The students danced at Homecoming. They painted “the rock” in front of MHS. They taught songs to children at Klager Elementary, and attended a pep rally at the high school.

Next summer, when a group of MHS students visit Germany, they will also stay with host families.

Something that impressed many of the visiting students was Manchester’s sense of school spirit, and the visible pride of the community at school. They noted that there seemed to be more family closeness in Manchester than in Berlin. They enjoyed getting to know their host families.

Heidemarie Kraft and Dagmar Frost, teachers from Berlin who attended as chaperones for the German students, said that the Manchester residents are very hospitable, and their host students soon felt at home.

“(They) had fun together, doing what young people do,” Kraft said.

Frost said she has been chaperoning the trips for the past nine years, staying with JoAnn and Monty Okey.

“I come over so often, we are like friends,” she said.

Kraft stayed with MHS German teacher Susan Davis.

“She leaves me a key. It is not like visiting. It is like going to my own resort,” she said.

The students also enjoyed their trip.

“It was very interesting (to see) how other cultures live. It is more open here,” said Lisa Elfert, who stayed with Serena Burden, an MHS student. “I learned many things about my own life. I know what I can do better at home. I will always remember the trip.”

Sarah Wehby, who stayed with the family of Stephen Sheler, said she was used to living in Berlin, a large city, and was glad to have a chance to live in a rural community.

“It’s more relaxed here,” she said.

She said she had taken a lot of pictures of New York’s Central Park, which she loved because she had visited it before in 2001 and 2003.

“I have photos of my host family. I will really miss them. I wish I could stay longer,” she said.

She said that she had bought a lot of souvenirs for her family in Germany.

Maria Bauer, who stayed with student Hannah Keller’s family, said she admired the school spirit.

“Our school is twice the size of Manchester,” she said. “But the students don’t cheer on their teammates as they do here.

“We were here for Homecoming, and that was the best time to come here and see the school spirit.”

But Bauer said that Berlin offered more to do outside of school, because it was a larger city.

“You can drive here earlier though,” she said. “If I lived here, I would get a car. It would be easier to meet friends and do anything.”

Lena Bandelin also said that she enjoyed the school spirit.

“Everyone supports each other in football or volleyball games. It is good to do things with the school after school, and identify with the team,” she said.

She added that she also liked the home life.

“It is more relaxed here. I would love to come back,” she said.

She said she had taken a lot of photos of the trees bearing their colorful fall foliage.

“Nature is so beautiful, and during the last days it has been quite warm. Our trees in Germany are not that beautiful. The maples here are yellow and red. (In Germany) they go from green to brown,” Bandelin said.

Cara-Elea Hartmann said her favorite part of the trip was staying with her host family.

“We did things like concerts and shopping. I got to know friends. I liked the school. I liked everything,” she said.

Laura Beerman, who stayed with student Katelyn Horning, said she liked to see how the families lived in Manchester.

“They have extracurricular activities, and they work too, but they also have time for their families,” she said.

Kira Goerke said she had a lot of conversations with her host family.

“It was interesting to hear what they said about Germany. I was surprised that they knew so much about Germany,” Goerke said. “I was excited to come here. My idea of what it would look like came from American movies. New York looked completely different from what I imagined.

“Manchester looked completely different. I like it better because I love nature, and I love green. The school is wonderful. It is like their own little world.”

Rebecca Hesse, who stayed with Kayleen Rouster, said she had enjoyed talking to her host mother, Deanna Rouster.

“She was like my mom,” she said. “The family life was great.”

Katharina Hausman said that she liked that everyone knew each other in the community.

“When I see somebody (in Berlin), it seems like I’ve never seen that person before. Here, you know each other. It is less anonymous,” she said.

She said she had helped with the chores at her host family’s house, and went grocery shopping.

“I miss my family and friends,” she said. “But I got to know my American family. The time was too short, but it was a good experience.”

Leonie Weller said she liked to go shopping, and had enjoyed a trip to Cedar Point, where she rode a roller coaster for the first time.

“New York was amazing,” she said. “I can’t imagine living there. It is so big.”

She added that she liked Manchester because it was small, and everyone knew each other.

“That is a new experience,” she said. “I want to come back.”

Valerie Blenk said she liked the spontaneous way American teens act.

“They don’t ask their parents if they can have a party. They’re just allowed to,” she said. “They have a lot of options.”

She said she would remember the friends she had made while visiting and would see some of them in Berlin next year.

“I would like to stay,” she said. “But I think I have an insight as to what life is here.”

Alana West is a freelance writer for The Manchester Enterprise. She can be reached at mmagwest@sbcglobal.net.