Reflections from Katie M.

For the past three years, I had the pleasure of studying the German language and some German culture with my favorite teacher, Frau Asch. Although the language was very difficult for the entire class, we were all thrilled to be able to immerse ourselves in the culture this summer.  We heard stories from Frau Asch over the past three years about her experiences and memories from Germany which made us all even more excited. We were soon counting down the days until our flight to Munich and now that we are already leaving, it’s hard to believe how fast the time went by.

Experiencing the German culture taught me a more simple way to live. My host family was always so relaxed and comfortable. It made me feel instantly welcomed knowing that the house always felt stress free.  One aspect of our daily lives that I loved the most was how the family does everything together. When I would wake up every morning for breakfast, the whole family would be in the kitchen, chatting. It is something I wish I could bring back to America with me.  Even while waiting for trains to arrive, the German people were patient and calm. I never imagined such a peaceful environment while waiting for transportation, especially since the traffic in Seattle can get really bad and stressful for everyone. The simplicity and ease of the German people is something I will never forget because it is something we don’t usually get the chance to experience in the United States. There are so many aspects of the German culture that I wish America would be able to inherit.

I asked my exchange partner’s uncle, Uncle Daniel, about why there is a restriction on the height of buildings in Munich. He was explaining how for over a hundred years, there has been a law that states that a building can be no taller than the cathedral. Basically, the Catholic Church came first in society, and it still does. This law is still in order today, except for an exception or two. This amazed me and I was in awe as he was explaining it to me. Through all the busyness and stress that may come with working in the city, there is always the sight of the church to ease the worry.  The entire area of Bavaria was primarily Catholic which was comforting as a traveler.

My host family showed me a side of Germany that I would have never experienced if I had not participated on this trip. They introduced me to family life in a German household. They showed me a basic daily routine of a family in much different conditions than in America. Firstly, we ate breakfast all together every morning. Sarah helped me get acclimated to the different environment of school, which is completely altered compared to what I’m used to in America. Classrooms are not assigned to teachers, every class has the same students, teachers can release their students whenever they feel, and my favorite part, school ended at one o’clock for Sarah and I. After school, the environment at home was peaceful which differs from the sometimes very hectic households we all know in America. When Sarah’s parents got home from work, the family was all together, doing different activities as a household.  My host parents served appetizers, then dinner, then dessert and every day I was completely satisfied. The rest of the evening was very relaxed as we all prepared to sleep. The GAPP program is amazing in that we get the full experience of a German family.

Two years ago, I hosted a German exchange student when I was a freshman in high school. We instantly became great friends and I was disappointed that I would not be staying with her in Germany that summer. When it was decided that I would be travelling to Germany this summer, I knew I had to see Tina and catch up with her. I spent the day with her and it was amazing to be able to see her again! Saying goodbye to her was very hard because I still don’t know when I will be able to see her again although she said I will always have a place to stay for when I return to Germany. This is what I appreciate most about participating with GAPP; it truly does form friendships for a lifetime and I know that Tina and I will still be great friends in years to come.

I am eternally grateful to have been able to participate on this trip. It was the trip of a lifetime and words cannot express how amazed I am to see the similarities and differences between these two different cultures. I want to thank my parents for sacrificing a vacation for themselves to allow me to be able to travel to Germany. I want to thank my Oma and Opa, and my Grandma for their generosity and amazing support and prayers. Thank you GAPP for having this program available for my peers and students across America.

(: - Katie Michels