German Students Experience Life in Wisconsin

From the 7^th to the 18^th of October, 18 high school students from Germany and two of their teachers, Herr Robert Gozon and Frau Jenny Radke, came to the Hortonville area to experience what it is like to live in our corner of the world.  The visitors came from Wiesbaden, Germany, which is the capital of Wisconsin’s sister-state of Hessen. 

During their 10-day stay, the German students were kept busy shadowing a Hortonville High School students to see how their American counterpart spent their day. When asked how they liked the Hortonville High School, many of them mentioned how much they liked the Wi-Fi, while others commented on how much more approachable our teachers are compared to theirs. They also went on two field trips; one to Madison, and the other to Green Bay. 

Also, for two days, the German students and their two teachers went over to the Hortonville Elementary School to visit with the 2^nd–4^th grade students who are learning German.  The elementary students asked them questions about their country and culture, after which most classes talked with the visiting students in small groups.  Many staff members commented on the excitement the elementary students felt, having got the chance to “talk to a real German.”  They were also amazed at how similar German students are to American students, just with some cultural differences… and all done in German.

 Thank you to all of the HASD families who welcomed these German students into their homes, where they stayed for the duration of their visit. None of the experiences our German visitors had would have been possible if it wasn’t for the wonderful families who took them in and shared their lives with them.  To them I shout out a much deserved, VIELEN DANK  [FEE-lenn  DAHNK]!  Many thanks!

Article by: Mr. Matt Craemer,
HES/HMS German & Spanish teacher