October 26, 2023 • 21 mins
We have been thrilled to welcomed 25 students from our partner school Dreieichschule in Langen, Germany, to Oregon High School for three weeks. In this episode, we hear directly from the Exchange Coordinator and a few of the exchange students to hear about their time so far and what they hope to take away from this experience.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER1:
We are thrilled to welcome students from our German exchange to Oregon High
School. (00:00):
undefined
The students have been here for just over a week, and we are excited to hearhow it's been going.
SPEAKER2: Welcome to this episode of Inside the OSD podcast, where it's all about the kids. (00:11):
undefined
Here is your host.
Lifelong educator and our superintendent, Dr.
Leslie Bergstrom.
SPEAKER1: Thank you for joining us today. (00:25):
undefined
And we would like to start by talking with our exchange coordinator.
Can you please introduce yourself for our listeners?
SPEAKER3: I'm Jessica Binder. (00:34):
undefined
I'm from Germany. I teach at Dreieich Schule together with these amazing kids.
I've been there since 2010.
I teach English and physical education.
German teachers always have at least two subjects to teach.
Oh, and yeah, I have been part of this amazing exchange since the beginning, actually.
(00:59):
I was here in 2012, then I took some time off -- and then, now I'm back.
So why is
SPEAKER4: it important for you to be a part of the trip? (01:05):
undefined
Well,
SPEAKER3: I've spent high school year or high school year in the US, and I got to have this amazing experience of all this hospitality (01:08):
undefined
and the different school system and everything you see on movies.
It's like kind of part of it is true, but it's also different.
Right. So when I kind of came a chaperone on the exchange, I saw that thisprogram is really close to what I have experienced
(01:35):
over a year, but in a condensed form.
So our students get to do the same.
They get to have the same experiences that I got to have, and it's like noteverybody gets to have those.
And so I said, "well, this is an amazing program.
I have to support it.
So I have to be part of it."
SPEAKER4: And that's why I'm here. Oh, that's very nice. (01:53):
undefined
Where were you when you were a high school student in the US?
Well, that's --
SPEAKER3: Actually it was in Texas, there in northeast Texas. (02:00):
undefined
So the conservative part of the US.
Yes, yes.
And yeah.
SPEAKER4: Very nice. So you mentioned America in movies when you were a teenager. (02:09):
undefined
Was there a movie that made you think about America?
SPEAKER3: Well, there -- we have lots of TV content that's American. (02:17):
undefined
But I think like when I was their age, like 15 or 14, I think it was the timeof -- it's called Einen Mich Einel.
I don't know the American title at all.
It's, it's a typical high school comedy.
SPEAKER4: Really? (02:36):
undefined
SPEAKER3: There's yeah, there's this ugly girl and she's kind of -- she doesn't want to be -- she doesn't want to have the attention. (02:37):
undefined
And then there's this cute high school boy.
Sort of stereotypes. I was going
SPEAKER4: to say, that sounds like a lot of high school stereotypes, but. (02:47):
undefined
SPEAKER3: Teenagers, right? (02:50):
undefined
They're highly influential.
So that was one American -- I don't know the title.
Um.
SPEAKER4: What else? (03:00):
undefined
SPEAKER3: Welcome to -- There was this TV show with Claire Danes and -- (03:01):
undefined
SPEAKER4: Oh, yes! (03:05):
undefined
SPEAKER3: I think "welcome to --" I don't know. (03:07):
undefined
SPEAKER4: My Teenage Life for something like that? (03:09):
undefined
Yeah.
SPEAKER3: German title as well. Yeah. (03:11):
undefined
And it was kind of different than the others though.
But I watched that.
So lots of high school content.
SPEAKER4: It's always fun to think about what movies make people think about the American experience and how true they might be to the experience. (03:19):
undefined
So what's been a highlight of your trip so far to Oregon?
SPEAKER3: Wow. Where should I start? (03:32):
undefined
I think for sure the highlight was homecoming week and pep rally and thehomecoming dance, because we haven't had that on the exchange so far ever.
There was a first. Wow.
Okay. And I think the kids were really excited to have that experience becausewe don't have anything similar in Germany.
We just learn from it from their books.
(03:54):
And it's a really difficult concept to kind of convey because it's just atheoretical concept.
Right. So I think there was a real highlight and was just after we arrived.
So everybody was flashed and then.
Yeah, just to being welcome.
And you come into Oregon Main Street, you see the flags, and then you have theparents and the host families welcoming us.
(04:17):
And then you come here to school and everybody is just so, so - I don't know -nice and.
Yeah. And empathetic.
SPEAKER4: Yes. That's great. (04:27):
undefined
SPEAKER3: It just amazes me. (04:29):
undefined
And I think that the students get to experience is always -- it makes mespeechless somehow.
SPEAKER4: You know, I can't wait to hear from the students and what they thought of the pep assembly as an example, because as you stated, this must be a really (04:39):
undefined
unusual experience for them.
So I'm excited to hear what all of you thought about it.
So now we're very excited to talk with our exchange students.
So if you wouldn't mind, I'd like you to each introduce yourself, your name,your year in school, and if you've been to the US before, we'll start here and
(05:06):
go around the circle.
SPEAKER5: My name is Carol and I'm 16 years old, and I go to the 11th grade in Germany, and I was never in the US before. (05:08):
undefined
SPEAKER4: All right. (05:18):
undefined
SPEAKER5: So my name is Mia. (05:19):
undefined
I'm also 16 years old, and I also go to 11th grade in Germany, and I also haveI've never been in the US before.
Hi, my name is Sophie.
I'm 15 years old and I go to the 10th grade in Germany and I was also never inthe US before.
(05:41):
Hi, I'm
SPEAKER6: Theo, I'm 15 years old and last year I was in Boston for three weeks. (05:42):
undefined
SPEAKER4: Really? So this is your second US experience? (05:48):
undefined
Yes. All right.
SPEAKER7: And I'm Johnny, I'm 15 years old and I was in the 10th grade in Germany. (05:52):
undefined
I think that's like the sophomores here in America.
And it's also my first time here.
SPEAKER4: All right. Thank you all. (06:04):
undefined
So what made you decide to be a part of the exchange program?
And this time, should we start here and go around?
SPEAKER7: Okay. I think a huge point was that I always love to travel the world and learn more about other cultures, (06:12):
undefined
and I have seen many movies, too, and I have seen the American life as veryamazing.
And so I always wanted to come here and prove if every thing that is in themovie is true.
SPEAKER4: Well, we'll have to talk about that later. (06:39):
undefined
I'm curious what you think about it now.
Go ahead, Theo.
SPEAKER6: Yeah, I think the American way of of living and the American high schools are interesting. (06:44):
undefined
And you just know this from from videos.
And yeah, I think it's interesting.
All these houses look completely different.
All the streets and.
Yeah, just just the life, the living in high school, going to high school everyday is pretty interesting.
SPEAKER5: So yeah, I wanted to like see a different culture because like in Germany we.-- Yeah, it's just like the everyday it's nothing new anymore. (07:11):
undefined
And here in the US it's like completely different and everything.
And also like the high school experience, like you see it in movies andeverything.
But it's not like in Germany in like the school system and everything is inGermany completely different.
(07:37):
So I just wanted to experience it.
Thank you. Yeah.
I think every kid, every kid in Germany just wants to visit the US for onetime.
And I think I wanted to do it because I wanted to do great experiences toimprove my English skills and just to make
(08:00):
special and unique memories.
SPEAKER4: Yeah. Thank you. (08:04):
undefined
SPEAKER5: For me, it was like a dream to come one time here. (08:06):
undefined
And it was like a chance to make a dream come true.
And also to make new friends.
Because I was told from my neighbor, her son did it already.
So this exchange with this same school, and he was -- he got new friends and hestay in contact, like in contact like ten years after.
(08:31):
And I wanted to have the same.
SPEAKER4: That's great. And can I also say that your English skills are very, very impressive. (08:35):
undefined
Very impressed with how well you are all speaking English.
So whoever has been your English teacher -- Great job.
So tell me what you've enjoyed most about your experience so far and what hassurprised you most?
(08:59):
What did you enjoy the most and what surprised you the most?
And whomever would like to start first, go right ahead.
SPEAKER7: I think I'll start. (09:06):
undefined
I really enjoyed the homecoming week because it was like it's been alreadysaid, we don't have that usually in Germany.
And so everything was new and also the pep rally that everyone showed his pridefor the school.
And that was something that kind of surprised me, that everyone is very proudfor the school.
(09:33):
And yes, and I think that was also the thing that I really liked here the most.
Thank you.
SPEAKER5: I love the homecoming dance. (09:42):
undefined
In Germany, we don't have such a dance party from school.
And I love the decoration and just, the whole the whole atmosphere there.
SPEAKER4: Yeah, good word. (10:00):
undefined
SPEAKER5: Atmosphere, that everyone come there in dresses and suits. (10:01):
undefined
And it was just --
SPEAKER4: come together. It was fun. Great. (10:11):
undefined
I'm glad. Go ahead.
SPEAKER6: Yeah, I think, so now I enjoyed the most just the school and all the many different classes you can (10:14):
undefined
visit and.
Yeah. How open and interested all the teachers, all the other students are.
They let you participate in their classes, they show you everything.
(10:37):
They -- they are interested in the German way of living and.
Yeah. And one thing that really impressed me are the big supermarkets here,which are completely different from what we know.
So I've been to Costco and it's very big.
And all these, yeah, huge packages of everything and all the TVs, all theclothing, all the decorations.
SPEAKER4: Costco was surprising. (11:04):
undefined
Yeah, that makes sense to me.
It still surprises me.
So that's something that's with us.
Very good. How about you, Sophie?
SPEAKER5: Um, I think I like the pep rally the most. (11:16):
undefined
Just the whole homecoming week.
Um, like the students dressing up and everything.
Like we just don't have that in Germany.
So it was really nice seeing that and the pep rally, like everybody in theirschool colors.
And when, like, band played and everything was so loud, I got goosebumps andeverything was so cool.
(11:41):
Um, but I think, I think the thing that surprised me the most was maybe alsolike the school pride, because I don't really have that with my German school.
Like I like my German school.
I think it's great, but I'm not really like, proud of it or something.
Yeah. No.
Yeah.
SPEAKER4: Yeah. What do you think? (11:58):
undefined
SPEAKER5: Um, for me, it was also a very nice experience. (11:59):
undefined
The homecoming week.
I like the pep rally, too.
It was really cool to see all the students in one hall, and they're all soexcited for the school and, like, the school.
Um, yes.
And for me, it's also very, um.
Something different from Germany.
(12:21):
Like the supermarket, like Costco is so big and you can buy everything and justin so huge packages.
I don't know who eats so much.
SPEAKER4: Were you surprised when the teacher started dancing at the assembly? (12:33):
undefined
Yeah!
SPEAKER5: Some song came -- like I thought it was, um, finished and everything. (12:39):
undefined
And suddenly the principal was standing there.
I think it was the song from --
SPEAKER4: "I Will Survive." (12:52):
undefined
SPEAKER5: "I Will--" yeah, it just starts playing. (12:53):
undefined
I was like, "what's happening now?" And then the principal started to dance,and then the other teachers came.
And also dance was really cool.
Yeah, it's pretty fun. Great.
Yes. Like, um, also how the teachers, the connection between the teachers andthe students are, I think, really casual and different than in
(13:14):
Germany. And I think that's really cool.
SPEAKER4: What do you all hope to take away from this experience? (13:17):
undefined
And whomever would like to start can go right ahead.
SPEAKER5: I think I would like to have more friends. (13:25):
undefined
I already got new friends from Germany, from German students like we, I don'tknow, some of them.
And we just met at the airport and we just understand very good.
And now we're doing a lot of things together, but also the American students.
(13:47):
It's for the homecoming week, homecoming dance.
We got ready at a friend's house of my host sister, and it was kind of nice.
It was like an a experience we don't have in Germany and so cool everyone inone place.
And we did something together.
SPEAKER4: Thank you. (14:08):
undefined
SPEAKER7: Um, I think something that will stay forever is also the new people we met here in school. (14:09):
undefined
Because -- maybe because of the long distance to Germany, um, we will stay incontact a long time, and maybe we will
visit Oregon one more time in our lives, or they come to us.
(14:31):
And I think also all the experience we made here, like, maybe we don't we don'tknow
how how much we we learn here.
But our English skills, they get improved, improved every day we get.
So we learn so many words every day.
(14:53):
And I think all of that will stay a long, long time.
SPEAKER5: Thank you. I think US has so many different things that we don't have in Germany. (14:57):
undefined
I just want to see as much as possible and just do everything that we can do.
Like, I don't know, go to autumn festivals or to farms and, I don't know, togo --
(15:22):
to go to shops that we don't have in Germany.
Just to see everything before the time is over.
Thank you.
SPEAKER6: I think the memories will last forever, if you know what. (15:29):
undefined
Maybe the photos you take here in ten years or something.
You will remember this as a great time.
Yeah, and I also think the English skills are improving without knowing.
SPEAKER4: Very good. (15:47):
undefined
SPEAKER5: Yeah, I pretty much think the same thing. (15:48):
undefined
Like the memories we make here.
Like new friends.
They will hold a long time, especially with photos and just everything.
And obviously I hope my English improves.
Yeah.
SPEAKER4: Well, as I already said, I think you already all have pretty terrific English skills. (16:05):
undefined
If somebody was wondering whether or not they should take a trip like this,what would you say to them?
Do it.
SPEAKER5: Just do it. (16:17):
undefined
It's an amazing experience.
The people are so nice and everything and it's like once in a lifetimeexperience, especially with the high school, right?
Like, without this exchange, I wouldn't wouldn't be able to, like, do suchthing.
So it's really cool and I would.
(16:40):
Tell everybody. I would also say that you to do it.
At the beginning I was also "So should I do it or not?" But now I'm so glad I'mhere and
it's so nice.
And it's another like, you have to do it by yourself.
(17:00):
There's no parent that can help you or something, so you have to talk alone tothe host parents if there's something or.
You had to care for yourself and that's, I think, a really nice experience,too.
SPEAKER7: Um, I also think that you should just do it, because I think when you're an open minded person, it's really easy to find new friends here in America or just get (17:17):
undefined
to know two new people.
Um, and I think you it's something that you can -- you will remember your wholelife because it helps you a lot.
You get more.
(17:38):
You will improve to -- to be an adult because you have to you have to
work here. And when something isn't perfect, you have to talk with yourparents.
And I think, um, so that you may make your many very good progress.
SPEAKER4: Very nice. So one more thing. (18:02):
undefined
If a student was thinking about whether or not they should go to Germany, whatdo you think you would want to tell them that they would absolutely love about
Germany? What would they love?
Go ahead.
SPEAKER6: Yeah, I think they would probably love that our school is so short, so it usually ends at 1 p.m. (18:19):
undefined
and I think it's also completely different.
And that's what makes it so interesting because yeah, you do your sports inyour free time, not in school.
(18:40):
Yeah, it's pretty much what it is.
And also just to get more independent, just to have a great time, meet newpeople.
SPEAKER4: Yes, absolutely. (18:47):
undefined
SPEAKER5: Yeah. I also think that the people in Germany are also really nice and you have more free time after school, so if you make new friends (18:49):
undefined
there, then you can just hang out with them.
And we have many places where teenagers can go after school like I don't know.
(19:11):
Swimming pool. Public pool or to -- We have a lake where the teenagers go toplay volleyball
and to go swimming with their friends and everything.
Or just. We also go by bike very often in Germany when the weather is good andit's also just fun.
SPEAKER4: You're making it sound fun. (19:32):
undefined
You are. Anything else?
SPEAKER5: I think also there are many places that are very interesting to see, but maybe the food too, because there are some different things. (19:37):
undefined
And today I had a presentation and the teacher said when she go to Germany shewill eat a flour coleslaw.
Oh yeah, like something like a pretzel.
Yeah, just a big pretzel.
(19:59):
German food. Yeah.
And she said "I have to eat it again.
It was so good." And I think there are some different things the students fromhere would like very much.
SPEAKER4: Great. (20:11):
undefined
SPEAKER5: Anything? (20:12):
undefined
Also we have in the summer when like the -- this time the exchange students fromhere come back.
We have like the breakfast with like a lot of.
What is? Roller coasters.
Roller coasters and everything.
Which, like, really like a local test or something?
(20:34):
Yes. Which is really popular.
And there are a lot of things.
And go there with your friends and just have fun and it's really nice.
SPEAKER4: Well, you're all making it very tempting to take another trip to Germany. (20:44):
undefined
SPEAKER1: If you were from the teenage perspective, you're making it sound like it would be a lot of fun. (20:49):
undefined
SPEAKER4: For a young person to be a part of the trip that goes to visit your country, too. (20:53):
undefined
So thank you.
SPEAKER1: Thanks for sharing (20:59):
undefined
SPEAKER4: your experiences (21:00):
undefined
SPEAKER1: with us today. (21:00):
undefined
It was
SPEAKER4: very nice for you to (21:03):
undefined
SPEAKER1: talk about all the things that you found to be interesting and surprising. (21:04):
undefined
And I also really liked hearing about what you love about your country too.
Thank you. Remember that you can find links to all episodes of inside the OSDand submit topic ideas on our website
at OregonSD.Org/podcast.
(21:26):
You can find this podcast anywhere you can find podcasts.
Make sure to subscribe if you're listening on one of these apps to getnotifications on the most recent episodes.
We'll see you next time on inside the OSD,
where it's all about the kids.
undefined
The students have been here for just over a week, and we are excited to hearhow it's been going.
SPEAKER2: Welcome to this episode of Inside the OSD podcast, where it's all about the kids. (00:11):
undefined
Here is your host.
Lifelong educator and our superintendent, Dr.
Leslie Bergstrom.
SPEAKER1: Thank you for joining us today. (00:25):
undefined
And we would like to start by talking with our exchange coordinator.
Can you please introduce yourself for our listeners?
SPEAKER3: I'm Jessica Binder. (00:34):
undefined
I'm from Germany. I teach at Dreieich Schule together with these amazing kids.
I've been there since 2010.
I teach English and physical education.
German teachers always have at least two subjects to teach.
Oh, and yeah, I have been part of this amazing exchange since the beginning, actually.
(00:59):
I was here in 2012, then I took some time off -- and then, now I'm back.
So why is
SPEAKER4: it important for you to be a part of the trip? (01:05):
undefined
Well,
SPEAKER3: I've spent high school year or high school year in the US, and I got to have this amazing experience of all this hospitality (01:08):
undefined
and the different school system and everything you see on movies.
It's like kind of part of it is true, but it's also different.
Right. So when I kind of came a chaperone on the exchange, I saw that thisprogram is really close to what I have experienced
(01:35):
over a year, but in a condensed form.
So our students get to do the same.
They get to have the same experiences that I got to have, and it's like noteverybody gets to have those.
And so I said, "well, this is an amazing program.
I have to support it.
So I have to be part of it."
SPEAKER4: And that's why I'm here. Oh, that's very nice. (01:53):
undefined
Where were you when you were a high school student in the US?
Well, that's --
SPEAKER3: Actually it was in Texas, there in northeast Texas. (02:00):
undefined
So the conservative part of the US.
Yes, yes.
And yeah.
SPEAKER4: Very nice. So you mentioned America in movies when you were a teenager. (02:09):
undefined
Was there a movie that made you think about America?
SPEAKER3: Well, there -- we have lots of TV content that's American. (02:17):
undefined
But I think like when I was their age, like 15 or 14, I think it was the timeof -- it's called Einen Mich Einel.
I don't know the American title at all.
It's, it's a typical high school comedy.
SPEAKER4: Really? (02:36):
undefined
SPEAKER3: There's yeah, there's this ugly girl and she's kind of -- she doesn't want to be -- she doesn't want to have the attention. (02:37):
undefined
And then there's this cute high school boy.
Sort of stereotypes. I was going
SPEAKER4: to say, that sounds like a lot of high school stereotypes, but. (02:47):
undefined
SPEAKER3: Teenagers, right? (02:50):
undefined
They're highly influential.
So that was one American -- I don't know the title.
Um.
SPEAKER4: What else? (03:00):
undefined
SPEAKER3: Welcome to -- There was this TV show with Claire Danes and -- (03:01):
undefined
SPEAKER4: Oh, yes! (03:05):
undefined
SPEAKER3: I think "welcome to --" I don't know. (03:07):
undefined
SPEAKER4: My Teenage Life for something like that? (03:09):
undefined
Yeah.
SPEAKER3: German title as well. Yeah. (03:11):
undefined
And it was kind of different than the others though.
But I watched that.
So lots of high school content.
SPEAKER4: It's always fun to think about what movies make people think about the American experience and how true they might be to the experience. (03:19):
undefined
So what's been a highlight of your trip so far to Oregon?
SPEAKER3: Wow. Where should I start? (03:32):
undefined
I think for sure the highlight was homecoming week and pep rally and thehomecoming dance, because we haven't had that on the exchange so far ever.
There was a first. Wow.
Okay. And I think the kids were really excited to have that experience becausewe don't have anything similar in Germany.
We just learn from it from their books.
(03:54):
And it's a really difficult concept to kind of convey because it's just atheoretical concept.
Right. So I think there was a real highlight and was just after we arrived.
So everybody was flashed and then.
Yeah, just to being welcome.
And you come into Oregon Main Street, you see the flags, and then you have theparents and the host families welcoming us.
(04:17):
And then you come here to school and everybody is just so, so - I don't know -nice and.
Yeah. And empathetic.
SPEAKER4: Yes. That's great. (04:27):
undefined
SPEAKER3: It just amazes me. (04:29):
undefined
And I think that the students get to experience is always -- it makes mespeechless somehow.
SPEAKER4: You know, I can't wait to hear from the students and what they thought of the pep assembly as an example, because as you stated, this must be a really (04:39):
undefined
unusual experience for them.
So I'm excited to hear what all of you thought about it.
So now we're very excited to talk with our exchange students.
So if you wouldn't mind, I'd like you to each introduce yourself, your name,your year in school, and if you've been to the US before, we'll start here and
(05:06):
go around the circle.
SPEAKER5: My name is Carol and I'm 16 years old, and I go to the 11th grade in Germany, and I was never in the US before. (05:08):
undefined
SPEAKER4: All right. (05:18):
undefined
SPEAKER5: So my name is Mia. (05:19):
undefined
I'm also 16 years old, and I also go to 11th grade in Germany, and I also haveI've never been in the US before.
Hi, my name is Sophie.
I'm 15 years old and I go to the 10th grade in Germany and I was also never inthe US before.
(05:41):
Hi, I'm
SPEAKER6: Theo, I'm 15 years old and last year I was in Boston for three weeks. (05:42):
undefined
SPEAKER4: Really? So this is your second US experience? (05:48):
undefined
Yes. All right.
SPEAKER7: And I'm Johnny, I'm 15 years old and I was in the 10th grade in Germany. (05:52):
undefined
I think that's like the sophomores here in America.
And it's also my first time here.
SPEAKER4: All right. Thank you all. (06:04):
undefined
So what made you decide to be a part of the exchange program?
And this time, should we start here and go around?
SPEAKER7: Okay. I think a huge point was that I always love to travel the world and learn more about other cultures, (06:12):
undefined
and I have seen many movies, too, and I have seen the American life as veryamazing.
And so I always wanted to come here and prove if every thing that is in themovie is true.
SPEAKER4: Well, we'll have to talk about that later. (06:39):
undefined
I'm curious what you think about it now.
Go ahead, Theo.
SPEAKER6: Yeah, I think the American way of of living and the American high schools are interesting. (06:44):
undefined
And you just know this from from videos.
And yeah, I think it's interesting.
All these houses look completely different.
All the streets and.
Yeah, just just the life, the living in high school, going to high school everyday is pretty interesting.
SPEAKER5: So yeah, I wanted to like see a different culture because like in Germany we.-- Yeah, it's just like the everyday it's nothing new anymore. (07:11):
undefined
And here in the US it's like completely different and everything.
And also like the high school experience, like you see it in movies andeverything.
But it's not like in Germany in like the school system and everything is inGermany completely different.
(07:37):
So I just wanted to experience it.
Thank you. Yeah.
I think every kid, every kid in Germany just wants to visit the US for onetime.
And I think I wanted to do it because I wanted to do great experiences toimprove my English skills and just to make
(08:00):
special and unique memories.
SPEAKER4: Yeah. Thank you. (08:04):
undefined
SPEAKER5: For me, it was like a dream to come one time here. (08:06):
undefined
And it was like a chance to make a dream come true.
And also to make new friends.
Because I was told from my neighbor, her son did it already.
So this exchange with this same school, and he was -- he got new friends and hestay in contact, like in contact like ten years after.
(08:31):
And I wanted to have the same.
SPEAKER4: That's great. And can I also say that your English skills are very, very impressive. (08:35):
undefined
Very impressed with how well you are all speaking English.
So whoever has been your English teacher -- Great job.
So tell me what you've enjoyed most about your experience so far and what hassurprised you most?
(08:59):
What did you enjoy the most and what surprised you the most?
And whomever would like to start first, go right ahead.
SPEAKER7: I think I'll start. (09:06):
undefined
I really enjoyed the homecoming week because it was like it's been alreadysaid, we don't have that usually in Germany.
And so everything was new and also the pep rally that everyone showed his pridefor the school.
And that was something that kind of surprised me, that everyone is very proudfor the school.
(09:33):
And yes, and I think that was also the thing that I really liked here the most.
Thank you.
SPEAKER5: I love the homecoming dance. (09:42):
undefined
In Germany, we don't have such a dance party from school.
And I love the decoration and just, the whole the whole atmosphere there.
SPEAKER4: Yeah, good word. (10:00):
undefined
SPEAKER5: Atmosphere, that everyone come there in dresses and suits. (10:01):
undefined
And it was just --
SPEAKER4: come together. It was fun. Great. (10:11):
undefined
I'm glad. Go ahead.
SPEAKER6: Yeah, I think, so now I enjoyed the most just the school and all the many different classes you can (10:14):
undefined
visit and.
Yeah. How open and interested all the teachers, all the other students are.
They let you participate in their classes, they show you everything.
(10:37):
They -- they are interested in the German way of living and.
Yeah. And one thing that really impressed me are the big supermarkets here,which are completely different from what we know.
So I've been to Costco and it's very big.
And all these, yeah, huge packages of everything and all the TVs, all theclothing, all the decorations.
SPEAKER4: Costco was surprising. (11:04):
undefined
Yeah, that makes sense to me.
It still surprises me.
So that's something that's with us.
Very good. How about you, Sophie?
SPEAKER5: Um, I think I like the pep rally the most. (11:16):
undefined
Just the whole homecoming week.
Um, like the students dressing up and everything.
Like we just don't have that in Germany.
So it was really nice seeing that and the pep rally, like everybody in theirschool colors.
And when, like, band played and everything was so loud, I got goosebumps andeverything was so cool.
(11:41):
Um, but I think, I think the thing that surprised me the most was maybe alsolike the school pride, because I don't really have that with my German school.
Like I like my German school.
I think it's great, but I'm not really like, proud of it or something.
Yeah. No.
Yeah.
SPEAKER4: Yeah. What do you think? (11:58):
undefined
SPEAKER5: Um, for me, it was also a very nice experience. (11:59):
undefined
The homecoming week.
I like the pep rally, too.
It was really cool to see all the students in one hall, and they're all soexcited for the school and, like, the school.
Um, yes.
And for me, it's also very, um.
Something different from Germany.
(12:21):
Like the supermarket, like Costco is so big and you can buy everything and justin so huge packages.
I don't know who eats so much.
SPEAKER4: Were you surprised when the teacher started dancing at the assembly? (12:33):
undefined
Yeah!
SPEAKER5: Some song came -- like I thought it was, um, finished and everything. (12:39):
undefined
And suddenly the principal was standing there.
I think it was the song from --
SPEAKER4: "I Will Survive." (12:52):
undefined
SPEAKER5: "I Will--" yeah, it just starts playing. (12:53):
undefined
I was like, "what's happening now?" And then the principal started to dance,and then the other teachers came.
And also dance was really cool.
Yeah, it's pretty fun. Great.
Yes. Like, um, also how the teachers, the connection between the teachers andthe students are, I think, really casual and different than in
(13:14):
Germany. And I think that's really cool.
SPEAKER4: What do you all hope to take away from this experience? (13:17):
undefined
And whomever would like to start can go right ahead.
SPEAKER5: I think I would like to have more friends. (13:25):
undefined
I already got new friends from Germany, from German students like we, I don'tknow, some of them.
And we just met at the airport and we just understand very good.
And now we're doing a lot of things together, but also the American students.
(13:47):
It's for the homecoming week, homecoming dance.
We got ready at a friend's house of my host sister, and it was kind of nice.
It was like an a experience we don't have in Germany and so cool everyone inone place.
And we did something together.
SPEAKER4: Thank you. (14:08):
undefined
SPEAKER7: Um, I think something that will stay forever is also the new people we met here in school. (14:09):
undefined
Because -- maybe because of the long distance to Germany, um, we will stay incontact a long time, and maybe we will
visit Oregon one more time in our lives, or they come to us.
(14:31):
And I think also all the experience we made here, like, maybe we don't we don'tknow
how how much we we learn here.
But our English skills, they get improved, improved every day we get.
So we learn so many words every day.
(14:53):
And I think all of that will stay a long, long time.
SPEAKER5: Thank you. I think US has so many different things that we don't have in Germany. (14:57):
undefined
I just want to see as much as possible and just do everything that we can do.
Like, I don't know, go to autumn festivals or to farms and, I don't know, togo --
(15:22):
to go to shops that we don't have in Germany.
Just to see everything before the time is over.
Thank you.
SPEAKER6: I think the memories will last forever, if you know what. (15:29):
undefined
Maybe the photos you take here in ten years or something.
You will remember this as a great time.
Yeah, and I also think the English skills are improving without knowing.
SPEAKER4: Very good. (15:47):
undefined
SPEAKER5: Yeah, I pretty much think the same thing. (15:48):
undefined
Like the memories we make here.
Like new friends.
They will hold a long time, especially with photos and just everything.
And obviously I hope my English improves.
Yeah.
SPEAKER4: Well, as I already said, I think you already all have pretty terrific English skills. (16:05):
undefined
If somebody was wondering whether or not they should take a trip like this,what would you say to them?
Do it.
SPEAKER5: Just do it. (16:17):
undefined
It's an amazing experience.
The people are so nice and everything and it's like once in a lifetimeexperience, especially with the high school, right?
Like, without this exchange, I wouldn't wouldn't be able to, like, do suchthing.
So it's really cool and I would.
(16:40):
Tell everybody. I would also say that you to do it.
At the beginning I was also "So should I do it or not?" But now I'm so glad I'mhere and
it's so nice.
And it's another like, you have to do it by yourself.
(17:00):
There's no parent that can help you or something, so you have to talk alone tothe host parents if there's something or.
You had to care for yourself and that's, I think, a really nice experience,too.
SPEAKER7: Um, I also think that you should just do it, because I think when you're an open minded person, it's really easy to find new friends here in America or just get (17:17):
undefined
to know two new people.
Um, and I think you it's something that you can -- you will remember your wholelife because it helps you a lot.
You get more.
(17:38):
You will improve to -- to be an adult because you have to you have to
work here. And when something isn't perfect, you have to talk with yourparents.
And I think, um, so that you may make your many very good progress.
SPEAKER4: Very nice. So one more thing. (18:02):
undefined
If a student was thinking about whether or not they should go to Germany, whatdo you think you would want to tell them that they would absolutely love about
Germany? What would they love?
Go ahead.
SPEAKER6: Yeah, I think they would probably love that our school is so short, so it usually ends at 1 p.m. (18:19):
undefined
and I think it's also completely different.
And that's what makes it so interesting because yeah, you do your sports inyour free time, not in school.
(18:40):
Yeah, it's pretty much what it is.
And also just to get more independent, just to have a great time, meet newpeople.
SPEAKER4: Yes, absolutely. (18:47):
undefined
SPEAKER5: Yeah. I also think that the people in Germany are also really nice and you have more free time after school, so if you make new friends (18:49):
undefined
there, then you can just hang out with them.
And we have many places where teenagers can go after school like I don't know.
(19:11):
Swimming pool. Public pool or to -- We have a lake where the teenagers go toplay volleyball
and to go swimming with their friends and everything.
Or just. We also go by bike very often in Germany when the weather is good andit's also just fun.
SPEAKER4: You're making it sound fun. (19:32):
undefined
You are. Anything else?
SPEAKER5: I think also there are many places that are very interesting to see, but maybe the food too, because there are some different things. (19:37):
undefined
And today I had a presentation and the teacher said when she go to Germany shewill eat a flour coleslaw.
Oh yeah, like something like a pretzel.
Yeah, just a big pretzel.
(19:59):
German food. Yeah.
And she said "I have to eat it again.
It was so good." And I think there are some different things the students fromhere would like very much.
SPEAKER4: Great. (20:11):
undefined
SPEAKER5: Anything? (20:12):
undefined
Also we have in the summer when like the -- this time the exchange students fromhere come back.
We have like the breakfast with like a lot of.
What is? Roller coasters.
Roller coasters and everything.
Which, like, really like a local test or something?
(20:34):
Yes. Which is really popular.
And there are a lot of things.
And go there with your friends and just have fun and it's really nice.
SPEAKER4: Well, you're all making it very tempting to take another trip to Germany. (20:44):
undefined
SPEAKER1: If you were from the teenage perspective, you're making it sound like it would be a lot of fun. (20:49):
undefined
SPEAKER4: For a young person to be a part of the trip that goes to visit your country, too. (20:53):
undefined
So thank you.
SPEAKER1: Thanks for sharing (20:59):
undefined
SPEAKER4: your experiences (21:00):
undefined
SPEAKER1: with us today. (21:00):
undefined
It was
SPEAKER4: very nice for you to (21:03):
undefined
SPEAKER1: talk about all the things that you found to be interesting and surprising. (21:04):
undefined
And I also really liked hearing about what you love about your country too.
Thank you. Remember that you can find links to all episodes of inside the OSDand submit topic ideas on our website
at OregonSD.Org/podcast.
(21:26):
You can find this podcast anywhere you can find podcasts.
Make sure to subscribe if you're listening on one of these apps to getnotifications on the most recent episodes.
We'll see you next time on inside the OSD,
where it's all about the kids.
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The Nikki Glaser Podcast
Every week comedian and infamous roaster Nikki Glaser provides a fun, fast-paced, and brutally honest look into current pop-culture and her own personal life.