From Oct. 11 to Oct. 26, 2024, York county hosted 16 German students and two German chaperones from two schools in Leinfelden Echterdingen, Germany, our twin city. The German students stayed with families from Southwest and Spring Grove for two weeks. Every weekday, the group would do activities and go on day trips; the weekends however had no plans so that the host families could take ‘their Germans’ to do things as a family. The day trips range from local activities like touring the city of York, to interstate trips like Washington, D.C. The York Twinning association facilitates this annual exchange, and the American students go over for two weeks in June.
Students from both sides of the trip were interviewed about their favorite experience. Magdalena Hutzler who stayed with a Spring Grove family, stated, “My favorite part was spending time with my host family and Washington, D.C. because it’s something you see especially now all over the news.” Lion Lehmen, another SG ‘exchangee’ said that his favorite part was “the time in the family especially my birthday which I will never forget.” Lehmen turned 15 during the exchange and celebrated with his host family the Myers.
When asked what piece of advice they would give to someone considering the exchange they both had similar points. Hutzler stated that she would say, “You should participate, even though you are questioning it! I wasn’t sure if I should take part and a good friend of mine said write an application and if you are accepted it is a sign and it was definitely a sign! I had so much fun, found new friends in America and also friends from my school I normally don’t spend much time with! Everyday was so nice and I had so much fun in America and in Germany while you guys visited us. I hope and think I found two friends on the other side of the world, who I will stay in contact with forever! I loved seeing the American culture and experiencing their live.” Lehmen said that, “I would definitely recommend being part of the exchange for everyone because it’s awesome to get to know other cultures and find friends from another continent hopefully for you whole life.”
On the flip side, the American students who went over to Germany in the summer had the same questions, plus an extra one about what their favorite part about hosting was. When asked what their favorite part of Germany was, Cameron Strausbaugh from Southwest said that his favorite thing was “going to the Black Forest and getting my coukoo clock.” The Black Forest was around two hours away from where the students were staying, but it was an important part for Strausbaugh. He also enjoyed “the climbing park with [me, you and Brady] and your German,” as I was on the exchange as well.
Brady Myers’ Favorite part of traveling to Germany was “seeing so many different parts of Germany, and even Switzerland. Seeing famous cities and the different cultures was awesome.”
When asked what he would say to someone questioning participating, Myers said he would “tell [them] to sign up and trust the process. Every student, teacher, and family member I met- German or American- was so friendly and just excited to be a part of the exchange. The memories you will make will be so worth it.”
As someone who has personally gone on the exchange and has hosted twice myself, it has been one of my favorite experiences ever. My favorite thing in Germany was hanging out with my host family and watching the football matches together. I would tell someone questioning participating in the exchange to go for it. Both times I hosted I was nervous about the person I would be paired with, but both times it felt like I had just gained a sister that I still talk to to this day. The memories and connections are worth the step outside the comfort zone.
The exchange was facilitated by the York Twinning Association which hosts an annual student exchange and an adult exchange every four years. They ensure we maintain connections to Arles, France and Leinfelden Echterdingen, Germany. The program is about experiencing different cultures and building friendships and connections.
To get involved with the program contact Frau Rothenberg in room 331.
