Exchange Students Leave Family to Study Abroad

Exchange Student Leave Family to Study Abroad Coming to a different school for a whole year would be unthinkable to most people, but for Janis Grüttmüller and Ricardo Doehle , it’s a reality. When becoming a foreign exchange student, you’re making a huge commitment, that will hopefully be one of the best experiences of your life. You’re leaving your family for nine whole months. “It is not too bad, I miss my family, but nearly all the time I’m very happy,” Grüttmüller said. Both Grüttmüller and Doehle live in Berlin, Germany. Leaving all of their friends behind, they had to come to Krum with an open mind and be prepared to make new friends. Both students say that they have made new friends, and hopefully, those friendships will last even after they go back to Germany. On your first day of school in kindergarten, every one is in the same boat as you. They have to make new friends and be ready for a new chapter in their life. For Ricardo and Janis, they had to go through that process all over again. They had no friendships to lean on, and didn’t know exactly what their school was going to be like. Ricardo says that he was “really nervous, different school, different people.” Even though this experience was very nerve wracking, it was also “very exciting”, according to Janis. When coming to another country, you’d want to see what everything is like, not just the school. Janis currently plays JV football and Ricardo is on the tennis team. America and Germany obviously have distinct differences. For example, in Germany you are usually addressed by your last name rather than your first. One of the differences Janis has noticed is generosity while eating. “I’m surprised we get free refills in every restaurant,” he said. Ricardo is used to public transportation for students, so American teens surprise him. “It is odd that everyone drives to school with their own cars,” Ricardo says. Janis and Ricardo don’t have the opportunity to be with their friends from back home, but the people in America have helped make it easier. “I really like the people. Everybody is kind and open.” Janis says. In Germany, school is a lot different. After the fourth grade, students are separated according to their academic abilities and the wishes of their families. “School is easier here, and not as boring as in Germany,” Ricardo said. Janis agrees, “It is way easier and nearly completely different. For example, you don’t get to choose your schedule on your own.” Living in a different country has to be very difficult, but hopefully it will be very rewarding for them. They get to experience a new culture, meet new people, and get a “second family”. We hope that we have as much of an impact on their lives as they have on ours.