After visiting Niagara Falls, Buffalo and New York City, exchange students from Germany are making their fourth stop here in East Lansing. Their week here will be spent touring Michigan and going to classes with their student hosts.

Many students involved in the program have found value in meeting people from other countries. Colin Sayers (11) and his family are hosting two exchange students. So far, he’s enjoyed the experience. 

“You learn a lot from their country, and they learn from your country, and it’s just kind of cool,” Sayers said. 

Both the student hosts and exchange students have felt a connection forming with one another. Such holds true for Paula Jorg (10), who has quickly grown close with her exchange student.

“I really feel like a part of their family,” Jorg said. “I think that it is so different from Germany, especially about the sports, and that you have them at your school, and that you don’t have to pay extra to do it in certain communities.”

During the week, exchange students explore Michigan by day and return to their host families at night, giving them plenty of time to grow closer.

“We hang out, and they like my friends, so it’s nice,” Sayers said.

On the other hand, it can take some adjustment to have a stranger move in with you for a week. Although hosts are required to be in German 3 or above to host a student, a language barrier is inevitable.

 “It’s a little awkward sometimes, because you can’t really understand what they’re saying,” Sayers said. “But that’s what you should expect. They will talk in their language and you’re supposed to understand.”

Despite some of the challenges that come with hosting someone from another country, students still feel it’s a great opportunity to learn about a different culture and for others to learn about theirs.