By: Kayla Stephensen

Vincent König, this year’s German exchange student, comments on what he thinks of america and Bellbrook as of the first few months. König is staying with the other foreign exchange student at a host parent’s home.

 

Q: What are some American rumors you heard and did they hold true?

A: They said school would be more easy which is not true. Normally they say after 2 or 3 months you’re homesick, but I’m not. They say all the people are fat. They are more than in Germany but not by much.

Q: What do you think about the American people?

A: They are more friendly. It is easier to speak with them and meet new friends. The young kids are more sport… yes athletic, because of school sports. We have clubs instead.

Q: Where do you want to go while visiting America?

A: I want to see the East and West coast and Washington, but not a specific place.

Q: Why did you choose to come to America?

A: I could choose Canada, America, Australia and I think New Zealand in the program I chose. I don’t like Canada because they speak French. Australia was scary far away from the cities. New Zealand was too far.

Q: What shocked you about the high school?

A: The school is different. We just had one class so here you have to wait until class “ends.” German teachers could end before class “ends” and start a new one like if it’s “supposed” to end at 10 they can finish at 9:40 and just go into the next class.The teachers are like better, friendlier. In Germany, you just talk to a teacher when you have the class. There are a lot of tests. I have 7 this week.

Q: How are the cities different compared to Germany?

A: I don’t know how to say. An American city with 500,000 a German city with 500,000 but American looks bigger because there have more skyscrapers. In my city, about 1.8 million, we have maybe 3 skyscrapers.

Q: Do you have any goals for sports or school?

A: I want to run varsity time for cross-country, which is 19:30. I want to do good at school. For the winter, I would do basketball but we are going to travel so probably not. In spring, I was thinking track, maybe distance or sprints.

Q: What surprised you about cross-country?

A: Practice in the summer is at 7 in the morning. Sports are in the afternoon or night in Germany.

Q: What are your thoughts on American music?

A: It’s similar to Germans. We listen to American music, but I like German music.

Q: What does your name mean?

A: König means king.

Q: What is your favorite part of America so far?

A: The Italian boy who sings out of the shower Justin Bieber songs. *laughs*