German exchange students delight in American culture during Henrico visit

Henrico County’s Mills E. Godwin High School and Homburg, Germany’s Christian von Mannlich Gymnasium recently celebrated 30 years of student exchange between these schools.

Fourteen German students from von Mannlich traveled to Short Pump and spent two weeks with host families, following Godwin students in their daily routine at school and extracurricular activities, attending traditional high school events, such as Friday night football games and the annual Homecoming dance.

Through the experience, these students were able to compare and contrast the experiences of a high school student, from teaching techniques to social interactions.

“The school spirit is very different,” said German student Ella. “I love [the] school spirit. We don't have something like that in Germany.”

The exchange students also compared national recognized traditions.

“Here, you have flags everywhere. You pledge allegiance to a flag; in Germany, we don't do that,” said a German exchange student.

In between the events and trips, the little moments added up to a true cultural exchange, from minor social interactions to the experiences with new friends.

“Everyone is talking to each other,” said another German exchange student. “In Germany, you don't even smile like 'hello' in like bigger cities to each other.”

In addition to glimpsing the traditional American teenage life in Henrico, these select German students were able to explore other areas of the east coast as well, taking a day to trip to Washington D.C. as well as canoeing on the James River.

“I've always wanted to come to America because America is like a whole different universe for us,” said a German exchange student. “I was kind of overwhelmed, but I really really like it.”

Although Godwin and von Mannlich are separated by 4,150 miles and a half a day plane trip, the students found their experiences to be more similar than they previously thought.

“I always kind of thought that you guys were a bit different from us. . . but when we came here I kind of noticed that we're just the same. Well, the same. . . just really far away from each other, which I think is really beautiful actually,” said another German exchange student.

Godwin host student Chase Rowland said the experience has been a unique and meaningful one for him.

“What I believe the program is is a chance for people to make an aforementioned lifelong friendship with their exchange student, while also being able to learn a new language from someone who speaks it fluently, for them to see a different view whether it be politically, or in just simple opinion, and to be able to travel the world, something that is truly an incredible and rare experience,” he said.

Godwin German teacher Joseph Ungerleider shared his excitement of the program’s success and future aspirations.

"What I'm excited for moving forward is another 30 successful years of exchange—another 30 years of students and their families interacting, learning from each other, and building lifelong bonds across borders. Here's to 30 more years of international friendship, 30 years of challenging stereotypes, and to the continued positive impact this program brings to our community."

To commemorate their time and intercultural connection, Godwin and von Mannlich collaborated on an art project, constructing a 16-foot-tall wooden structure outside the Godwin building that represents 5 sails of a ship, with a similar one outside von Mallich as well.

“It really gives me, as an educator, hope for our future and for what you all are capable of doing,”

Ungerleider shared with HCPS, describing the positive effects reaped by all parties of this program.

– Valentina Pinto is a student at Godwin High School