When sophomore Bennett Sauer heard about the German exchange program’s reopening, he instantly became intrigued by the opportunity to introduce new cultures to other students and also explore what life is like in Germany.
“I’ve contacted [my exchange student], and they want to try out golf. So I’m excited to be able to show the culture here to the students,” Sauer said.
After four years of inactivity due to Covid-19, the exchange program is back on for 2024-25 with 15 SPA host families and 18 German students from the partnering school, Heisenberg-Gymnasium in Hamburg.
US German teacher Rachel Ruddick has been collaborating with the World Language department teachers to incorporate some historically successful pieces of the exchange while adding elements that come from her experience.
“Originally, [Frau Crowder, the previous German teacher,] was from Germany, and she was from Hamburg, so I think that’s why she chose that city. To go back to a place that she knows really well,” Ruddick said.
The trip will be the second exchange since the restart. US Spanish teacher Rolando Castellanos, has been a guiding force in the building. He pushed for the program’s reopening this year, with Spanish students here in the fall of 2023 and host students leaving for Spain on June 10.
“I do have to say that this year, really getting the exchanges started up after COVID was thanks to Señor Castellanos,” Ruddick said.“He’s been doing this for years and he was the one that went to Dr. Ottley, and was like, ‘We have to go.’”
The World Language department has monthly department meetings, but when it comes to exchange programs, there’s a lot more information and details to cover than in regular meetings.
“There’s multiple meetings going on with various people. Sometimes I’ll talk to Señor Castellanos about what he’s doing, but then I also need to be talking to admin and with the dean and Ms. Lee, as the principal, has also been very important leading this,” Ruddick said.
During the meetings, the teachers discuss details regarding student assignments to host families, times of arrival and departure from Minnesota and activities the exchange students will participate in during their stay.
Students have their own ideas of how to make memories with their exchange partners during the unscheduled time while they are here.
Junior Cassandra Overholt said, “[With my exchange students], I’d like to go to some sports games, probably some Loons games, go to some parks. The farmers market maybe?”
The activities that the German students will do outside of school will largely depend on extracurricular activities and hobbies of their host families, whom they will spend most of their time with while they’re not in school.
“I’m just excited to be able to meet someone from another country and learn about their culture,” Sauer said.
The exchange students will arrive this coming autumn with their guide teachers after the long planning process between SPA and Heisenberg-Gymnasium, and host students are excited to show them around Minnesota and give them a taste of what American culture looks like.
