American Family Life, Culture Great Experiences For German Girl

The great thing about being an exchange student is that I get to experience a different culture and to comprehend it.

It is hard to understand certain thoughts, customs and traditions, when you have never experienced them. For example, I never really knew what Thanksgiving is. I always wondered why people would come together just to have turkey, when they meet and eat a lot of food a month later, on Christmas. But when I got here, I found out that it is an old tradition, reaching back to the Pilgrims, who thanked God for providing the Native Americans, who offered them friendship and helped them to survive in the new country. I also learned that the poeple today honor the existence of community and friendship.

I like the idea of having a time for the people to think about community, helping and getting along with each other. Although I get the impression that some families do not think about the original meaning of Thanksgiving anymore, the essential part still remains in their celebration.

I am looking forward to celebrating Thanksgiving with my American family, and I think that this will be something I will always remember.

This exchange does not only help me to comprehend a different culture, but also to undestand my own culture better. My family is a very good example of this.

Living in another family is the greatest experience I have had so far, and probably the most significant of my exchange year.

I change my view of my family in Germany a lot. I did not like some of the rules my parents set up, or I thought they were unfair and could not find any reasons for them.

For example, I could not understand some of the curfews when I went to a party. I also compared my family to others and wished that it would be different.

With my family here, the curfews and most of the rules stay the same. When I ask myself why, I have to say that there are good reasons for all these regulations.

I also found out that others are not better off with their families either. Everyone has certain things they do not like about their family, even though ideas and values about families and what they are vary.

For example, I always thought my family did not do enough together, such as going to the theater or the movies. But if I really think about it, no one would have time to do so, including myself.

Without my family here, I also would not enjoy my stay here and would probably be homesick right now. But my family here helps me solve any problems I have and makes me feel at home.

So far, I have enjoyed my exchange very much and hope that this will be the case until I go back to Germany.

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: MEET RIKI Riki Selle, 16, is from Germany. She played soccer this fall; she may try out for basketball this winter; and she’ll play softball this spring. Riki is also musical, playing the treble recorder and the saxophone in the pep band at Central Valley High. Riki lives with host mom Debbie Marro, who is a librarian for East Valley High. Marro said it’s been quite a change, going from the independent life of a single woman, to parenting an adventuresome teenager. “We’ve had a good time … She’ll try anything. And, she likes my cooking!” Marro said, adding that Riki has made several good friends.