Exchange student Margot: One year Germany, a heart full of doubts!

Exchange student Margot: One year Germany, a heart full of doubts!

Margot Hoffmann, a 16-year-old exchange student from the USA, returns after a one-year stay in Germany. During her time in Baden-Württemberg and Schwerin, she attended the Goethe-Gymnasium and gained some formative experiences. The differences in the social interaction that she experienced with the Germans were particularly striking for them. "I had difficulty finding friends," she admits and describes Germans as less open compared to the United States. Nevertheless, Margot also made close friendships over the course of the year and collected positive memories of the region, especially the beautiful beaches on the Baltic Sea.

Another cultural experience was the German dinner, which was a new experience for them. "The bread and the cheese surprised me at first," she says. After her return to her hometown Starkville, Mississippi, she plans to go to the high school. But not all thoughts are positive: Margot expresses concerns about the future of exchange programs in the USA, in particular on the basis of the current political situation and protests against President Donald Trump, who could also affect international student exchange. "I would like to do another year abroad, but I'm unsure about the possibilities," she says.

clarity about exchange programs in political uncertainty

Margot's worries are not unfounded. The decline in the number of German students traveling to the United States reflects uncertainty. According to a report of the Süddeutsche Zeitung , the number of trips to the USA has dropped by 28 percent compared to the previous year. This means that some young people move their year abroad to Canada. Certain schools in Bonn even have to cancel exchange programs because US partner schools no longer participate. This is also related to the political situation in the USA and the influence of Trump's administration.

Another sign of the tense circumstances is that the funding for exchange programs have been frozen. The parliamentary sponsorship program (PPP) and the German American Partnership Program (GAPP), both of which are supported by the Pedagogical Exchange Service (PAD), are affected. While the pad does not see any significant decline in the exchange programs, since these are often planned long in advance, the concern for possible future developments remains.

The popularity of the United States remains high despite all the circumstances

Despite these challenges, the fascination for the USA remains unbroken. Many young people are still interested in an exchange. According to the US message there are numerous programs that enable German students to discover vibrant US culture and the English language. These programs not only offer numerous resources and funding opportunities, but also an alumni community that promotes exchange among the former participants.

The USA is currently enjoying the status as the most popular host country for German students, even if the competition is increasing by other English -speaking countries such as New Zealand, Canada and Australia. The cost of one year at a public school in the USA amounts to between 9200 and 16,000 euros, which is a significant investment for many families.

After Margot's experience, however, it becomes clear that the exchange between cultures remains of great importance even in stormy times. It is to be hoped that the wind will turn soon and that positive changes for exchange programs will be launched.