Photo courtesy of theportablewife.com
For Johanna Hein, the decision to become a foreign exchange student began around the age of 12.
Hein first heard about the concept of foreign exchange students when she was 12 after her dad told her about his foreign exchange year when he was in high school.
“My dad did an exchange year when he was my age, and so he inspired me to do an exchange year, and I (wanted to be a foreign exchange student) to improve my English skills and getting to know new people,” Hein said. “And I think the USA is a fascinating country, so I just wanted to experience that.”
Hein would say that adjusting to a completely different country was overwhelming at first, but she has gotten more comfortable with life here as time goes on.
“In the beginning, it was a little bit complicated because it’s a new country, new people. It’s overwhelming, but now it’s getting better and better and easier to find my classes and talk to people,” Hein said.
One difference between Germany and the U.S. is that the German school system has three 90-minute classes per school day with a 20-minute break in between each class. Hein is also used to spending each day in one classroom with the same classmates and the teachers rotating rooms for each class. Students in Germany begin rotating classrooms for each of their classes in 10th or 11th grade, depending on whether their school has 12 or 13 years.
“(My favorite part of being here so far has been) starting school, because in school you meet the most new people, especially that are your age,” Hein said.
One way Hein has met new people is by joining the volleyball team.
“I’ve never really played it before, so I’m not good at it, but practicing it is fun,” Hein said.
Another thing that is new to Hein is the size of things in America, including stores.
“In Germany we don’t have these big stores. We have supermarkets and everything, but not so big,” Hein said. “And the American flags, they’re everywhere. That’s also something different, but I think it’s cool.”
Hein’s host family has helped her adjust to life in America, and she has enjoyed getting to know them during her time here so far.
“I like that they’re open minded. They really try to make me feel comfortable and feeling like they are my family, I mean, they are my family for America,” Hein said. “I like to spend time with them. I like to have conversations with them.”
