This past summer, four LHS students joined the Lawrence Sister City cultural exchange to Eutin, Germany. For three weeks, students toured the country, attended school, and stayed with host families in the region. For the students, the opportunity distinguished itself from a typical summer trip.
“It was totally different than just a vacation. I got to live the life of a German student in Germany,” senior Hugo Cowardin said. “I got to experience the average school day in Germany, I got to experience daily life.”
For Cowardin, daily life began with classes at Carl Maria von Weber school. Beyond the school’s STEM focus, students noted other key differences between German and American high school.
“Everyone there was super smart and the classes that I thought were hard were just their basic classes,” senior Hailey Bills said. “It’s very competitive, and they definitely learn a lot more than we do.”
Senior Corran Poettker explained a difference in flexibility.
“They’re not able to choose the classes they get,” he said. “They’re just put into a class, and they have to stick through.”
Poettker said the experience broadened his perspective.
“It’s really interesting to see the differences there and that way we get to appreciate what we have, but also see what other people have.”
School was just one aspect of the exchange. Aided by an inclusive public transportation ticket, the students spent the majority of their time sightseeing. Their itinerary included visits to iconic landmarks like the Berlin Cathedral, East Side Gallery, Schwerin Castle, and the St. Nikolai Memorial.
“We went to a lot of churches, which I usually wouldn’t have done, but it was really nice,” Bills said. “They were beautiful and we learned so much,”
The exchange was based in Northern Germany, known for its history.
“You get to see the real evidence and personal belongings from World War II,” Bills explained. “If you’re into history, that’s the trip to take.”
“You get a lot of individual freedom on it,” Cowardin said.
He explained that they were not held to a strict schedule.
“If there’s a museum that caught your interest, or a historical site that there isn’t time for anywhere else, you just do it,” Cowardin said.
The students emphasized the lasting connections built during the three weeks abroad.
“We all became super close after the trip, and we bonded so much,” Bills said.
Bills, in particular, became close with her exchange student.
“Me and my German exchange student are like actually besties, we are like soulmates,” she said. “It was the best experience and I got so lucky.”
She and others described the exchange as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“I got to experience all the little things that people wouldn’t usually experience if they were on just a regular vacation,” Cowardin said.
