After living in Ethiopia and Germany all her life, Maya Epple (11) moved to the US to be an exchange student at ELHS for ten months. She is part of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange program, which is a partnership between the U.S. Congress and the German parliament. Epple decided to do this exchange program because she wanted to experience American high school life. At ELHS, she has gotten involved in cheer and gymnastics.
What are some differences between life in Germany and life in the United States?
“One major difference is transportation: in Germany most students take public transportation to school, while in the U.S. many juniors and seniors drive themselves. The school systems also differ. Germany separates students into three types of schools: Hauptschule, Realschule and Gymnasium. In the U.S. everyone attends the same high school regardless of academic track.”
What are the biggest challenges in moving to a new country for a year, and what have been the most fun parts of the program so far?
“The biggest challenge for me was leaving my family behind and suddenly being an entire ocean away from home. Adjusting to a completely new
environment without the people I’m closest to was difficult at first. One of the most fun parts has been being a cheerleader during football season. I really loved the energy, the games and the school spirit that came with it.”
Do you want to live in the United States when you grow up?
“As of now, I probably don’t want to live in the United States when I grow up. Education is free in Germany, and although I’ve loved my time here,
I’m not sure I would want to live here permanently. But who knows, maybe I’ll feel differently in a few more months.”
Do you prefer school in the US or school in Germany?
“The school systems in Germany and the U.S. are very different and not easy to compare directly, but the American system feels more fun. With AP courses, extracurriculars and strong school spirit, from marching band to football, cheer and dance, everyone gets to be part of something. Because of that, I think I prefer the American school experience.”
How has this exchange impacted your life so far? What have you gained as a person?
“This exchange has made me much more independent. I’ve learned to work on myself, overcome fears and manage life in a completely different country and culture on my own. It has helped me grow a lot personally.”
Where are you from? Can you describe your hometown?
“I am from a small city in Lower Saxony called Braunschweig. Lower Saxony is located in northern Germany and borders the Netherlands as well as several German states. The region is known for its mix of countryside and historic cities, agricultural traditions and its capital city Hanover. It includes beautiful areas such as the Lüneburg Heath and parts of the North Sea coastline, and Braunschweig itself is known for its history, culture and charming city center.”
How big is the program? Do you know anyone else doing it?
“The program includes about 260 German students in the U.S. and 260 American students in Germany. I know another exchange student named Maximilian, who is also from Germany and is currently attending East Lansing High School.”
