Reunions in Germany and Across Europe

The fortune in my fortune cookie last night read “A different world cannot be built by indifferent people”.  My first thought was how proud I am to work for CIEE and the people associated with it (staff and Local Coordinators); an organization with folks who believe in bridging the gap between people in different cultures and are doing something about it. Our mission truly is world peace.  It is hard work and we do it one student and family at a time, but I see the results quite often. I have the privilege of meeting families and foreign students who have their own beliefs and sometimes preconceived notions about other people, cultures, or religions; and then watching as they learn about each other throughout a school year.  They consider the differences and, the vast majority of the time, accept these and positively adjust their views in the name of a good relationship. 

In 2009, CIEE held our annual International Meeting in Germany.  Since many of our students are German, there were happy reunions happening all over the country!  Some students took a trip from other areas of Germany, and even other surrounding countries, to visit their Local Coordinators, host families, or Regional Directors from years past. They couldn’t wait to show us their cities, country, and customs that we learned so much about while there were in the U.S.  Students took us to eat pretzels, sausage, sauerkraut, and apple strudel.  We were introduced to gigantic mugs of the famous German beer with their toast “Prost!” and songs.  They explained the stories behind Town Hall (Glockenspiel dancing figures) and many more historic sites.  I had a wonderfully memorable time with a few students who were in my region this past year; two of whom spent a week at my house in Texas over spring break to experience another city and state in the U.S.  We have so many funny memories and jokes from just a week together. 

I then traveled to Berlin to see my host daughter, Becci, from three years ago who is now working, in college, and in her own apartment!  There were four pictures on her bedroom wall - one of them was of the two of us together. It brought tears to my eyes and caused me to suddenly miss her even more.

Finally, I traveled to Warsaw, Poland to see Agnieszka, a student I supervised about four years ago.  We have remained in close touch and I know always will!  She was proud to feed me Polish food and show me all of the sites I had heard about over the years in our many conversations. 

I can’t imagine my life without the relationships I have personally made through the CIEE USA High School program!

- Melissa Weiss, CIEE Resident Director