What’s up? We are Martin Uhlemann and Danny Schütz and we took part at an exchange programm last year. Both of us stayed in the United States of America for one year. While Danny was hanging out in Atlanta, Georgia, Martin was chilling in Olivia, Minnesota.
Martin lived as a single child by his hosts Marie and Larry Rauenhorst (who by the way has 18 siblings). He visited the Bold High School which has approximately 500 students. Martin took seven different classes like Pre- Calculus (Math) or American Government and after school was over he did Cross Country and Track for his extracurricular activities. Besides all his school activities Martin was also helping his host dad on his farm, was riding the 4-wheeler or just hung out with his friends at their houses.
Danny lived with the Mancusos including his host dad Ben, his host mom Yukiko and his two little host brothers Alex and Ryan. He went to the Harrison High School with ca. 2100 students. Danny had only 4 classes which were 90 minutes long. After school he played in the tennis team of his school who almost won the state championship of Georgia. Besides school Danny was playing around with the two little boys or helped his host dad in the backyard.
Both of us went to church every Sunday, therefore we had to wake up at 8 o’clock even we came home late the night before. The highlights for us were these typical American parties. No, not the ones you think about! There would be the Homecoming Dance, where almost the entire school takes part in; Prom, which would be similar to the German Abiball, where only the 11th and 12th graders are allowed to join and of course there are all the amazing footballgames you can visit. During the time in the USA we travelled to 15 of the 50 states. Martin went to Nebraska, North & South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin as well as Canada (which of course is not in the USA). Danny visited North & South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama and four times to Florida.
Overall this year has changed us a lot and it was a good opportunity to get to know how it is, when you stand on your own feet. We can only suggest to everyone to go to another country as an exchange student, if you get the chance to, because there is no way easier to grow up that fast. Finally we want to say thanks to everyone who supported us and send greets to our families and our friends over in the USA and to Anton Herzfeld, Daniel Teubert, Tim Grützner and Mark Exner who also spent a year in the USA.