German, Chatham Students Make Time For One Another

Music blared in a classroom at Chatham High School Thursday as a party-like atmosphere pervaded a classroom filled with students just getting to know one another.

All this was taking place Thursday at lunch—which meant it was the normal time for a German Club meeting. But this time, there were more than just German Club members in attendance. Students from the Gynmasium Beilngries in Bavaria, who are visiting Chatham for two weeks as part of an exchange program, mingled with the Chatham students during their normal meeting period.

The students arrived at Newark airport on Tuesday and were warmly greeted by Chatham students, who came bearing colorful signs.

"It's just great for the kids—they have the opportunity to be face to face and learn the culture and establish relationships," German chaperone Thomas Dettenkofer said. Dettenkofer teaches English and Geography at Gymnasium Beilngries.

His students, he said, can learn plenty from textbooks about American culture, but he said "it's something entirely different to experience it."

The students will take day trips to New York City and to Amish country while they are in the U.S., and are staying with Chatham families along the way.

In the meantime, though, the German students are attempting to adjust to an American style of life while they're here. Chatham student Jona Elwell, who is hosting Anna Schmidt and Melanie Kelz here, said the three took a trip to Stop & Shop in Madison to get food Wednesday.

"It was quite an adventure," she said.

Schmidt and Kelz said they needed to get used to the fact that everything is, well, just a little bit bigger here—including the Stop & Shop. They said they are also adjusting to eating lunch at school (they eat at home in Germany), and are also working to get used to longer class periods.

They said, however, that they relish the opportunity to speak lots of English here, a language they've been learning since the fifth grade. But they've made plenty of time for fun, too.

Maximillian Siebenwurst was wistful when he discussed the group's plans for the trip.

"New York at night, with the lights and the people ..." he said excitedly, his voice trailing off as he anticipated the group's trip to the city tomorrow. Several others said they were excited to shop while in Manhattan.

The trip is also a treat for the Americans doing the hosting.

"My sister is actually in college, so it's kind of nice to have siblings again," Elwell said.

The students will be in Chatham until March 31. Before they leave for home, they will spend four days in Washington, D.C.