It’s that time of year again! Spring semester AYA students have arrived and joined their host families in America. Recently, our German students attended orientation in New York, and we checked in to see how things were going. After a few weeks in their new homes, here’s what some of these great kids had to say about the experience so far:
I love my family, and I’m so happy to stay with them. They’re so kind and helpful. I didn’t start with school yet, because they have their finals this week, but I went on Friday with my sister together to all of her subjects. And yesterday, we had the winter formal. You won’t believe how much fun I had. I met so many people, and I like all of them. Thank you again for orientation days in New York. It was an unforgettable time together.
—Gizem S.
I enjoy the days in New York very much. I have never seen something like this. The first day with my family was not so good, because I was very homesick. But now it’s great. I love my family and my Local Coordinator. They are great. Thank you all that I can do that.
—Bijou H.
Hey there, even though it’s freezing cold here in Montana (-2°F), I love it. My school takes me on a ski trip tomorrow, and I can join the cheer team at my school. New York was awesome, and I will definitely go back there at least once. I guess we all had a great time there. Greetings from Montana!
—Pauline W.
The orientation was so much fun! Thank you! I am so happy right now and had a wonderful first week. My host family is so nice, and I really enjoy spending time with them. We like to watch Greys Anatomy together. Last Sunday we went to the train show at the botanical garden in the Bronx. It was so beautiful. This Saturday we went into New York City again. We went to Central Park and Fifth Avenue. In the evening, we went to watch the movie Patriots Day.
I love the food here. We had some good pizza and went to a great Chinese restaurant. Also my host family cooks amazing meals!
On Friday I went to my first basketball game at high school. It was so cool! I really like going to school and have some fun classes, like acting and chorus.
On Thursday I met Lindsay and had lunch with her and two other exchange students. She is so nice and funny!
—Henrike V.
The Orientations were really good, and New York is amazing. Also, two days are not enough to see the real New York.
I have meet with my Local Coordinator Devonna, and on Saturday I was at my first basketball game in our school. It is so cool here in Minnesota. But some days, it is better than other ones.
School is very different to Germany, and the first days weren’t so easy as I thought. But the high school is so small that everybody knows my name even if they don’t know me.
Johanna and her host sister, Anna
I feel like I am longer than only one week here.
This is everything I know to tell for now. Good wishes!
—Johanna P.
I’ve had an amazing week so far. My host family is very nice and funny, and we get along like we’ve known each other for much longer than a week. I’ve made a lot of experiences in this week too. My family took me to a barbecue, the mall, Taco Bell and Walmart for the first time, and I tried a lot of new foods like sweet tea. (That’s how my mom always introduces me: That’s Hannah. She’s our exchange student from Germany, and she never had sweet tea!).
Hannah in New York during Orientation
My first day of school is next Wednesday, and I’m very excited for it. I already visited the school, and everyone is very nice and welcoming especially because they haven’t had an exchange student in years. Yesterday when I got my schedule there a girl asked me if I got to America by car, because she thought Germany was on the American continent!
People here ask me a lot of funny questions, like if we have sugar in Germany. We do, if you were wondering.
I liked New York a lot and had a lot of fun there too. I’m sending some pictures, too. The last picture was taken at my first barbecue and says: Hannah from Germany was here and found it amazing! (You could write on the tables and walls at this place.) Best wishes!
—Hannah C.
Thank you to all of the Local Coordinators and host families that have made the dream of student exchange a reality for all of these wonderful AYA students!
It’s that time of year again! Spring semester AYA students have arrived and joined their host families in America. Recently, our German students attended orientation in New York, and we checked in to see how things were going. After a few weeks in their new homes, here’s what some of these great kids had to say about the experience so far:
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