Essex High School student, Katie Preston, is set to graduate in the Class of 2025. She has been spending her senior year in Germany as an exchange student. The Hive wrote to Katie to ask her about her experiences adapting to life in a new continent, learning a new language, living with a new family, and missing home.
The Hive: How did you learn about this exchange program?
Preston: I learned about this exchange program from my mom. She was on a flight back from visiting my sister in college, and she ended up talking with a girl who had completed this program a year prior. I had previously talked with my mom about my interest in studying abroad on several occasions and the beauty about the CBYX program is that it is free. My mom was then extremely excited to tell me about this possible opportunity.
The Hive: What made you decide to spend a year in Germany?
Preston: I have always had interest in other cultures, and I’ve always found the idea of studying abroad extremely exciting….When I found out that I got in, I knew I had to do it because it was the opportunity of a lifetime….On one hand, I was so happy where I was and with all the people and things I was surrounded by and I was scared to be away from home for 10.5 months. However, I chose to go because I wanted to step out of my comfort zone, immerse myself in a new culture, learn a new language, build relationships with people from all over the world, and grow as an individual. All of which I have successfully done.
The Hive: What was your German immersion experience like at the beginning of your trip?
Preston: I spent my first month in Germany living in a hostel in Hamburg with 50 other American exchange students and 6 college aged German volunteers (who have all gone on an exchange). During this month I went to a language school (Tandem) 4-5 days a week (about 3 hours a day) and learned mostly about the culture….I think being able to share my experience with 49 other students made the initial immersion more comfortable. By the time I arrived at my host family, in Osnabrück, I was already rather comfortable in Germany and I had introductory language skills.
The Hive: Have you had a hard time learning German, and how has your German progressed?
Preston: The German language is definitely not easy, however I haven’t been having a hard time learning it. Before I arrived in Germany, I had never taken any German classes nor had I visited the country. But one would be surprised by how quickly they can learn a language when they are constantly surrounded by it. I have constantly and consistently worked on improving my German and it has definitely been paying off.
The Hive: What’s it like taking classes in a language that you aren’t proficient in?
Preston: In Osnabruck, I am in the 11th grade and I am taking the following classes: math, Spanish, English, German, biology, Job Orientation, art, religion, sport, chemistry, history, physics, and politics. I also had a half year of geography and sport theory. Obviously, some of these classes are easier than the others. However, I have been trying to follow along with all of my classes. I write most of the tests with my class and I get graded in about half of my classes. The teacher can choose whether or not to grade me. Spanish class is unique because the entire class is taught in Spanish and I find it sometimes difficult to think and speak Spanish because I’m so focused on my German. When I don’t understand the assignment and/or have no desire to do it, then I can work or something else (this applies to most of my classes).
The Hive: How does high school in Germany differ from high school in the States?
Preston: Overall, I have found my school in Germany easier and more relaxed. There are a lot of breaks throughout the day and we are given less homework and classwork. In addition, the majority of my classes I only have once a week….The behavior of the teachers and students are relatively the same as in the US however, there is a more noticeable gender divide amongst the students. Most students don’t do their classwork and cheating on tests is really common. This was a big problem last year and at the beginning of this year so we now have to pay 10 cents for paper on tests. We must write on paper and we cannot bring our own.
The Hive: What are some similarities and differences between America and Germany, and how do the differences between the cultures impact your daily life?
Preston: In Osnabruck, almost every day I have school from 7:50 to 1:05….In school, we have 20 minute breaks after every 90 minutes and a 5 minute break every 45 minutes. During the longer breaks, my friends and I hang out outside, in the cafeteria, or in the classroom.…In Osnabruck, I am in the 11th class because of the language and also because school is a little different in the 12th and 13th class in Germany. Classes often get cancelled, and when they get cancelled, we just have a free block….I would say at least one class gets canceled every week….After school, I go home and eat lunch with my host parents, sometimes go for a walk, work on my German, do homework, or hang out with friends….We normally eat Abendbrot, which is evening bread.
The Hive: What places in Germany and Europe overall have you been able to visit so far? What has been your favorite?
Preston: I have been extremely lucky and have had the opportunity to travel a lot. I’ve been to about 22 different cities in Germany and 5 other countries. Some of my favorites have been Lake Garda, Italy, Dresden, Germany, Konstanz, Germany, Freiburg, Germany, Český Krumlov, Czech Republic, and Innsbruck, Austria.
The Hive: Do you plan to return to Germany and/or Europe to travel, live, or attend school in the future?
Preston: I am not exactly sure what my future plans are. I will be attending Oregon State University next year and I intend to do another exchange within my 4-year degree. I could see myself coming back to Germany, however, I might be interested in travelling to another country and/or continent. With that being said, I plan on visiting Germany again within the next couple years and seeing my friends and family who live there.
The Hive: How do Germans view the current American administration?
Preston: For context, I live in a more liberal area of Germany. In general, the politics in Germany are middle based. The two biggest parties are the SPD (left-leaning) and the CDU(right leaning). Neither party is extreme in either direction like they are currently in the US. The Republican Party is similar to the German AFD party. They are both extreme right. There are many other parties in Germany like the Linke (which you can tell by the name is extreme left). With this being said, the majority of Germans are in opposition of the current US administration and specifically Donald Trump and JD Vance. Words I’ve heard to describe these people/the administration from people of all German political parties are; irrational, dumb, senseless, cruel, crazy, sad, disturbing, “full of idiots”, uneducated, uncultured, a joke, and a lot worse. Most seriously, many Germans have compared the situations in the US to these to those of the beginning of Hitler’s regime. No one can understand how they could be elected between both their criminal paths, political history and the terrible things they have said and done. I recently met with Matthias Middleburg of the CDU. He’s my political sponsor and I went to one of his election campaigns a couple days before the German election. At the event, he and his partner talked a lot about JD Vance and the downfalls of America. It is very clear that Germans and Germany do not want to end up like the US and look down upon our current political situation. Newspapers have headlines about Trump with all the stupid things that he has done. There are also several political cartoons and depictions about Donald Trump and the United States political administration.
The Hive: Would you recommend studying abroad to others? Why or why not?
Preston: I would 100% recommend studying abroad. This has been the best experience of my life and I’ve learned so much. Not only have I learned a new language, but I have also learned a new culture, traveled to cities all over Germany and the EU, grown substantially as an individual, built long lasting friendships, shared my culture and beliefs with others, and made lifelong memories. Of course it is not always fun or exciting and you will miss people and things, however you also learn what is most important to you and develop a new understanding of life.
The Hive: Is there anything in particular you are looking forward to when you return home?
Preston: I’m looking forward to a lot of things when I come home! Especially seeing my family and friends again. I’m also looking forward to playing softball this summer, enjoying the Vermont nature, and being able to drive again.
The Hive: What do you miss most about being home?
Preston: Overall, I miss the daily routine I had when I was in Vermont. I spent a lot of time with my friends and family everyday as well as taking part in clubs and athletics. I’d say I miss that the most.
