You may have noticed them around the halls or in your classes: this year’s German exchange students have arrived at Blanchet! Their names are Florian, Kai, David, Julius, Amy, Luis, Nicole, Bengi, Leonie, Carmen, Teresa, Lea, Franziska, Lea, Erik, and Jan-Niklas; their accompanying teachers are Frau Vilgis and Langenstein.

Bishop Blanchet partners with Gymnasium Hechingen in southern Germany through the German American Partnership Program (GAPP). This year sees a group of 15 sophomores who arrived in Seattle on Thursday April 20.

Thursday was the first day in the states for several of them, and the next Monday was their first day at Blanchet.

“I was excited,” said Lea Hähn, “but I was a little bit afraid at the same time because I don’t know how people are and if I’d like it here, but I really like it.”

Their plan is to stay for almost three weeks in the houses of their Blanchet host families and attend Blanchet classes. As well as going to classes, they have been exploring Seattle, going on excursions, and having fun. They are also learning more about the States through their host families.

“The importance of the program [is] intercultural learning and tolerance, making new friends and hopefully forging friendships for life, and overcoming prejudice and preconceptions,” said Sonja Langenstein, who has been the GAPP coordinator at Gymnasium Hechingen for 10 years.

The exchange students discussed how how interesting it is to see how Blanchet differs from their own high school, and how Seattle differs from their town.

“I’m really excited because it’s cool to see different people and different culture,” said Teresa Weiß.

Some differences include how much bigger classes are, since they come from a school with around 600 students. The technological aspects of iPads and useable wifi at school are also new to them. The amount of administrators at Blanchet was surprising, as their school has just a principal and a secretary. The ways classes are taught between the two schools are also different.

The students also commented on small differences such as how breakfast in America is a lot different than breakfast in Germany.

As it is a two-way exchange, from June 21 to July 7 Blanchet students will be visiting the German students’ school in Hechingen, and be able to learn how things are different in Germany.

For now, though, welcome your German peers to your school and city, and let them know what Seattle is like!