I’m not in Germany anymore
Tess Saulnier is host sister to Barbara Wehrheim.
November 23, 2009 • Wesley Rabung, Guest Contributor
Filed under 2009-2010
Every year millions of students go to school all over the state of Alaska but thanks to the American Field Service or AFS, we have students not only from the state of Alaska but from all over the world.
“It’s so different [from home], Alaska is so cold and so dark!” said Barbara Wehrheim, an exchange student in the AFS program from Germany.
The AFS program has been around since 1919 as a scholarship program taking college students abroad to complete their studies in new environments and cultures. The exchange is world wide taking students to over 50 countries all over the globe.
“My brother went to Oregon in 2004; after that I always wanted to go,” said Wehrheim, “It’s all about the culture experience; I want to leave a good impression for my country.”
The program tries to provide a new cultural experience for is applicants, but it is not as easy as you think. The application process is very difficult and it is very challenging to get accepted.
“It was really hard to be chosen to come. There was a long interview process, and you had to prove to adults running the program you were better than the other kids wanting to do the program,” Wehrheim said, “They would make you sit in a room and talk to other kids so they could see how you act around other people your age.”
As you would imagine Barbara or Babsy—a nickname she goes by at Chugiak High School—has been doing the best she can but this transition is very hard for her.
“I’m really homesick. I miss my home, but being on this trip you have to stay positive and make the most of the it!” exclaimed Wehrheim.
The AFS program takes students and they go to the country and live with a host-family and attend a local high school as full-time students. These host families help exchange students navigate the challenges they face in their new academic and social environment.
“School has been easy because I’m not taking hard classes,” Wehrheim said sarcastically, “English has been surprisingly easy. The tough thing is the social activity of school,” said Wehrheim.
When asked about how she was fitting into the school’s social scene, “I’m not used to the whole group thing (Meaning so called “cliques” Americans can develop.),” said Wehrheim, “But I have meet some really cool people and have some friendship I will never forget,” Wehrheim said, “People over here are almost too nice!”
When Babsy was informed that she would be going to Alaska over other big states like New York, or California, she gave the expression you would think.
“I didn’t know what to expect about Alaska, all I know is that snow scares me and I hope I don’t get depressed in the dark during the winter,” said a terrified Wehrheim.
The Program has over 350,000 alumni all over the world, none of which have ever reported that they regret going on their trip.
“I’ll come back for sure, it has been really good to come to America; it is very fun,” said Wehrheim.
