Breaking Down Walls

Christine Schmeling-Roessler, an English and biology teacher at the Bammental Gymnasium in Germany, waited for the call for two years.

In November, Roessler’s phone finally rang. The German American Partnership Program at last found an American school with which Roessler and 12 students could form an exchange program—Metea Valley.

For the next three weeks, the Mustangs, under the direction of German teacher Beth Hagen, will host the visiting students and teacher. The exchange students will also experience American home life, as they will be staying with host families in Naperville and Aurora.

While attending Metea Valley, the exchange students will join advanced placement and honors courses. Hagen said this will allow the German students to experience the American college bound school system. She’s hoping to debunk myths that American high schools are easy. Students will also visit Northwestern University and Aurora University to catch a glimpse of higher education in the United States.

Many of the students, like Leslie Hirsch, said they want to visit an American high school to improve their English skills. Hirsch believes speaking English is necessary for success.

“English is the world’s language,” she said. “You have to speak it if you want to understand anything abroad.”

Vincent Bles echoed his classmate. Bles believes globalization means speaking English is critical for success in the business world.

While some students are making their first trip to the United States, many are returning for their second time. Hannah Soine is excited to be visiting again. She said the difference between Germany and the United States has inspired her to cross the Atlantic as often as she can.

“America is beautiful and there are so many sides,” Soine said. “I’ve only been to the nature sites, like Yellowstone. I want to see the lifestyle this time.”

The group will have plenty of chances to experience the Chicago lifestyle. Students will visit the Magnificent Mile, Willis Tower and Navy Pier. The gang from Germany will also taste some local flavors by visiting Naper Settlement and attending a Kane County Cougars minor league baseball game.

One flavor Julian Kraft has a taste for is American food. The high school student is excited to devour burgers, donuts, French fries and try Steak n’ Shake during his trip. Kraft is also interested in American sports.

“I’m interested in visiting because I like playing football,” Kraft said. “I play American football—safety. I like to hit people.”

While the group is excited about their three week visit, they have already experienced culture shock. While at the airport, the students faced multiple issues at the border crossing due to passport and visa issues.

“When you live in the EU you forget about borders and crossings, that’s the first shock,” Roessler said. “But I think it has been worthwhile.”

Roessler said students will focus on learning about immigration during their stay with their host families. Students researched their family history’s while in Germany and will now investigate their hosting family’s background.

In June, Hagen will lead a group of eight Metea students and herself to Germany to visit the Bammental Gymnasium and other sites in Germany and France.

GAPP was conceived in 1977 and is sponsored by the U.S. State Department and the German Foreign Office. According to GAPP, more than 250,000 students have experienced short-trip exchange programs through the partnership.