Eleven students from Haßfurt Germany, in Bavaria, arrived at Salisbury High School Oct. 16 for a two-week visit with their host families in Salisbury.

The students are part of the German American Partnership Program, which supports school partnerships and exchanges between high schools in the United States and secondary schools in Germany.

GAPP allows groups of United States high school students and German secondary school students to visit a secondary school in the other country. All students are approximately the same age and participate in all school activities during their visit.

The German students included Florian Genslein, Sebastian Diem, Sarah Stengel, Nathalie Ullrich, Clara Schumacher, Anna-Lena Bendel, Maria Wirth, Alexander Jäger, Franziska Müller, Theresa Zdzieblo and Felix Krines.

Host students included Andrew Boehme, David Eckhart, Lindsey Johnson, Alec Kistler, Kristen Negrete, Chrystina Obleschuk, Cassandra Peace, Eric Penella, Samantha Perkins, Dustin Pope and Eric Young.

While here, the students attended the Homecoming pep rally, football games, the Homecoming dance, visited B. Braun, Moravian College, Kutztown University and various other trips with their host families. Volunteers from both the baseball and softball teams taught the German students to play baseball– they had never picked up a bat, held a ball or put on a glove. Many of the students had never even seen the sport played. After a quick lesson, the German students played a baseball game against the American students.

They also visited Harry S Truman Elementary School, Western Salisbury Elementary School and Salisbury Middle School. While at the schools, the German students gave presentations on their lives at home and an- swered questions from students.

The students sat down with The Press for an interview about their experiences in the United States Oct. 30 and began with their expectations for the trip.

"I wanted to go to New York and see the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty," Ullrich said. She went with her host student Kistler and his family during free time. "You could see all of New York– it was a perfect view."

Müller said she "always wanted to see the United States– she wanted to see the schools, houses and how Americans live."

Müller also said she finds she gets hungry during the school day. In Germany, they have small breaks for snacks throughout the day; here the only time the students eat is at lunch.

Some of the students were surprised televisions are on in the morning for Disney shows or news programs. In Germany, the students only watch television at night.

Students were surprised how the American families eat potato chips.

"In Germany, there are no chips during a meal," Ullrich said. "Chips are only eaten in the evening or on the weekends."

The students said they listen to American music in Germany although in talking with their American partners, found there are some similarities and differences. They do not listen to country music in Germany; they have their own folk music which is similar.

Diem was surprised in how Americans drive everywhere.

"In Germany, we walk or ride bikes," Diem said. Diem was surprised in the amount of drive-thru establishments here and the lack of sidewalks which are plentiful where he lives in Germany.

Jäger noticed a lack of fences between houses here in America.

Stengel said another big difference is they don't wear shoes in their homes in Germany.

Shopping was another adventure for the German students. Jeans and clothes are less expensive here than Germany but food costs more here. They do not have Victoria's Secret, American Eagle, The Disney store or Wendy's in Germany. Bendel said she was happy to try a burger with bacon from Wendy's which she said was very good.

Wirth enjoyed trying a cheesesteak from Pat's in Philadelphia and said it was very good.

The students also noticed many "percent off" sales and "buy one, get one" sales which they don't see in Germany. They noticed there are no Pop Tarts in Germany either.

"We have different sweets in Germany," the students said. They enjoyed trying Sour Patch and Willie Wonka candy here.

The students said there are many differences between the schools in Germany and Salisbury. There is much more security in this school than in Germany. They were surprised by having doors locked, cameras in the school and a policeman– none of which are found in their school. There are no flags in the classrooms or homes in Germany, no posters in classrooms or hallways, no lockers, no pep rallys, no laptops and no cell phones allowed at the school.

Another huge difference is the philosophy of clubs and activities. In Germany, the students go to school and then go home to participate in sports or clubs in their villages. The extracurricular activities are not associated with school in any way. They were surprised how the activities are connected to the school here.

The German students were "blown away" by how they were welcomed to the United States by the Salisbury students, their host families and the community. They said everyone has been very friendly.

The partner American students will travel to Germany this summer at their own expense to stay with their host families and attend school in Germany which runs through July. The trip will cost each student approximately $2,500, according to German teacher and GAPP coordinator Krista Spradlin. They have held and are continuing to hold fund- raisers to help the students with the expense of the trip.

Looking ahead, Spradlin would like to start a scholarship fund to help students experience the exchange who need financial assistance.

Salisbury students Young and Peace said having the German students here has been "eye opening as they learn about the cultural differences. It's been great; our German has improved." Others said the students have made life-long friends.

"I was really happy about my students hosting," Spradlin said. "We need more of these cultural experiences. This has been fantastic for the community.