5/20/2008 - Exchange students enjoying last days at DLHS
By Sue Kraft Fischer
Devil’s Lake Journal
The Devils Lake High School commons area was bouncing with excitement yesterday afternoon during a graduation party for this year’s senior class. The music was blasting and students were excitedly chatting with each other.
For some of the teens, this week will be their last chance to visit with their fellow students.
Five of this year’s graduating seniors are foreign exchange students through the AFS program and will be returning to their home countries next month.
Iris Benninger of Switzerland has been living with Visby family, Lillith Kreiss of Germany has been living with the DeMarrias family, Steffen Jaspert of Germany has been living with the Reiner family and Sarah Gruenbacher of Austria has been living with the Regan family. The fifth AFS student, Ryan Santiago of the Philippines, was unable to attend the party because he is in Texas with his host family.
All of the students agreed that the school system is different here in Devils Lake.
“It’s a lot easier,” said Jaspert.
“Yeah, multiple choice,” chimed in Benninger.
High school sports teams and school spirit were also notably different, they said.
“We don’t have football — and nobody’s really on teams,” said Kreiss.
While attending Devils Lake High School, all of the students participated in extra curricular activities, ranging from drama and speech to cross country and football.
“Sarah and I tried hockey for a week,” added Kreiss.
The students said the exchange experience has made them grow and become more self-confident. It also made them appreciate their family and home.
“I learned a lot about myself,” said Kreiss.
All of them had different things they missed from home, but all four agreed their friends and family topped the list.
“I want to hug my mom and never let her go again,” said Gruenbacher.
Of course, they also miss the food from home.
Gruenbacher said she misses the schnitzel, while Kreiss misses the German bread.
“And the meat you put on the bread,” she said. “It just doesn’t taste right here.”
The students will be leaving the Lake Region on June 30, but most say they would like to come back.
“I want to visit my host family next summer,” said Gruenbacher, “but with my family.”
Republished with permission. This article was originally published here.
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