This summer JHS put together a trip to Germany. Eleven students were able to go by filling out an application and waiting for approval by Frau Cervi, the German teacher at JHS. Most students hosted a German student earlier in the year.
What a gorgeous place to visit! Learning the nature of others in another country opens the eyes to those who know nothing of the country they are visiting.
Leaving at eight in the morning, students were anxious and ready to go. Two chaperones, Dale Holmolka and Dan Keller, were to take care of the eleven students while on flight to their destination.
Some difficulties arose when it came to speaking. “It was hard to hold a conversation with the host family because little English was spoken. The students were easier to talk to,” said senior, Jennie Stare, who stayed with Anna-Lena Krichel and her family. Anna-Lena stayed with the Stares when she visited JHS.
For some it may have been easier to understand because of previous German classes provided by the JHS foreign language department. Students who hosted helped as well.
The students were able to see various sights: Luneburg, Heidepark, Hamberg, Bergen-Belsen, Berlin, and Check Pointe Charley were most of the places. JHS students were able to go to school with their hosts as well.
“The schools are nicer, cleaner, and they have an open snack line at all times that all the visiting American students seemed to enjoy,” said junior, Maggie McNeal, who stayed with Isa Claus for the trip.
Even though three weeks doesn’t seem like so long, it is just long enough when people start to feel home sick. Not all felt this way though. McNeal thought the trip wasn’t quite long enough when asked. “One thing I would have changed would be the length of the trip. Once you started getting close to the family, you had to leave.”
On the trip home, their flight ran late in O’Hare and resulted in a late arrival to Frankfurt. Time was spent sleeping and getting food from inside the terminal.
All together, everyone agreed it was a wonderful trip. Good luck to students going next summer!