Royal Oak Bids Auf Wiedersehen to German Guests

German teenagers visiting Royal Oak had an opportunity to explore American culture and share their corner of the world with the students of Royal Oak Oak High School for two weeks.

A group of 20 exchange students from Waldkirch, Germany, lived with host families in the Royal Oak School District as participants of the German American Partnership Program (GAPP). The program gives German language students at Royal Oak High School a chance to take their learning out of the classroom and share experiences with German guests their own age.

The German students were chaperoned across the Atlantic Ocean by Manuel Sutter and Julian Waninger. In the summer, Royal Oak students will visit the countryside of Waldkirch, which is situated in the Black Forest, for two weeks, Sutter said.

When they weren't shadowing their peers throughout Royal Oak classrooms, the German visitors had a full schedule of sightseeing planned out for them. Their trips included visits to the Detroit Zoo, Greenfield Village, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History and Cedar Point. The group of German students also had plenty of fun trick-or treating on Halloween and playing laser tag.

"We are not allowed to play laser tag at home," said Judith, one of the German students. "It is considered too violent."

Gathered in a classroom on Thursday before leaving for home the next day, some of the German students reflected on their time in America and the things they discovered.

On Royal Oak High School

There are things that are different. In Germany, students do not have lockers or vending machines to purchase drinks, students said.

Classes are longer in Germany, 90 minutes, but they have 20-minute breaks between classes. Three days a week they are dismissed by 1 p.m., the other days end at 3:20 p.m. and they said they have significantly less homework than Royal Oak students.

On teachers

"The relationship between students and teachers is much better here," said Judith. "It is much more relaxed. Students talk about private things with teachers. In Germany, it is not like the teachers are mean, there is just more distance between teachers and students."

On students

"The students (at Royal Oak High School) are very open with people they don't know," said Karin. "They aren't shy. Everywhere we go we hear 'Germans! Germans'!"

Royal Oak students also tend to ask silly questions. The German students said they were asked if they had TVs, iPhones and dogs.

"We feel they think we live in the Middle Ages," said Judith.

On American food

There isn't a lot of fast food in Germany, the students said.

"The food here is much more fattening, so we like it," said Svenja. 

On famous Americans

The German students said they know quite a bit about President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney.

"They are famous in the German news," said Judith.

The teenage girls said they were not interested in following the election on their visit, however, they did seem to know the whereabouts of Hollywood star Ashton Kutchner.

Television shows "How I Met Your Mother," "Big Bang Theory," and MTV also appeared to be favorites with the students. 

On staying connected

Several of the German students said they had family members concerned for their safety after learning Hurricane Sandy touched ground in the states. Students said they were able to let loved ones know they were OK via Skype, email and Facebook.

"Facebook is very big in Germany," said Melanie.