Goodrich – For two German exchange students, the necessity of cars to get around is hard to get used to.
Pascal Riehn, 16, and Leslie ‘Lee? Lincoln-Codjoe, also 16, flew from Frankfurt, Germany to the United States last month.
Pascal, a varsity soccer player from Kempen, Germany, is staying with the A.J. and Rachel Smith family, who previously hosted a Japanese exchange student.
Lee hails from the large city of Cologne, Germany, which is referred to as K’ln in his country.
An avid NFL fan, Lee is also a varsity football player this year. He’s staying with the Hank and Karen Landsgaard family.
While both students are fluent in English, it’s more of a first language for Lee, who spent his early years attending an international school in Africa, speaking English and Ga, one of the native languages. Later, he moved to Germany.
Having visited his brother in New Jersey, Lee’s not a complete stranger to the U.S. He hopes to make a career in international business, he said.
‘Some girls here don’t believe I’m from Germany,? he said. ‘They say I’m from Pontiac.?
Despite excelling in his studies back home, it was a desire to improve his American English skills that motivated Pascal to come to the U.S.
In his town, students aren’t required to attend kindergarten, which is considered more of a day care in Germany.
From first to fourth grade, students attend grundschule, literally translated ‘ground school?.
From fifth to 10th grade students choose one of three educational tracks, depending on academic needs. Although students are only required to attend school until the 10th grade before beginning work, students taking the accelerated gymnasium program may choose to attend until grade 13, then opt to study at the university level, said Pascal.
Back home, Pascal’s favorite food is do’er, a food similar to the Greek gyro sandwich. Here, he likes American steaks.
While Lee enjoys German food at home, his favorite German meal is not much different than other Americans’lasagne. Steak’s his local favorite, as well as fluffy American-style pancakes. In Germany, the thin crepe-style pancakes aren’t served with syrup, he said.
The availability of fast food is much more prevalent in the U.S., say the students, who had different ideas about what to expect from America.
Both are used to European public transportation, and barred from getting a driver’s license as exchange students, miss it tremendously.
Still, they’re enjoying American hospitality. Pascal hasn’t encountered anyone who hasn’t been patient and understanding while he attempts to improve his communication skills.
What do they like the most here?
Pascal looks forward to playing paintball.
Lee is ready to see the Packers play in American NFL games. In Germany, the Germany NFL-Europe Cologne team is his favorite, he said.
His favorite thing about Goodrich? Once again, it’s football, especially homecoming.
‘People here are way more into football,? he said. ‘In Germany they don’t have (football) parades.?