High School USA Blog

Moin! Long time, no blog. Over the past couple weeks, I’ve been getting settled into my new host community after switching placements. However, I joined my host community at “the...keep reading

Guten Abend! Last night, my host family and I went to a small Oktoberfest in Hannover. Despite popular association with all of Germany, Oktoberfest is usually just a Bavaria-specific event...keep reading

This year was a very exciting time to be in Germany as an exchange student because Germany held such an exciting election! The famous, and widely-liked previous chancellor, Angela Merkel...keep reading

“You’re from America, right?” I can’t count how many times I’ve been asked this question over the last few weeks. Usually it is the segue into other questions which are...keep reading

I’ve been in German high school, or Gymnasium, for nearly one month now. Naturally, everyday life in Gymnasium has quite a few differences from American highschools. Though mundane, one of...keep reading

Before leaving on my exchange year, I was told that if I took one thing from our Oreintation Seminars it should be that "Culture Shock is real and you will...keep reading

Today, Germans elected their federal representatives in the Bundestagswahl. I accompanied my host mom to our neighborhood Wahllokal, and while she was voting, I reflected on some of the opportunities...keep reading

Guten Abend my loyal readers! What should you do with a free friday night in Germany? Stay at home and watch re-runs of the Great British Baking Show or go...keep reading

At orientation one month ago, our Betreuerschaft prepared us for the highs and lows of culture shock. In a thought process that was equal parts excitement and naivete, I assumed...keep reading

Hallo! Today is my 3-week anniversary in Germany! Although it’s only been 3 weeks, I do feel quite settled here. I think I know my way around Hamburg a bit...keep reading