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On the week of October 8th, Randolph welcomed students and faculty from BBS (Berufsbildende Schulen) Cuxhaven High School in Cuxhaven, Germany. This is the 10th anniversary year of the German Exchange Program, which had been paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The group consisted of 8 students between 17 and 19 years old and 2 instructors from the school. All stayed with families in the area. 

Students had a busy week attending classes, doing local activities with families, hiking, and visiting nearby places of interest, such as VINS, Queechee, Woodstock, and Ben and Jerry’s.

Because BBS Cuxhaven has a vocational and technical school, students also spent time touring RTCC to learn more about career education in the U.S. 

Later in the week, the exchange students gave a presentation to RU students about the differences between high schools in the U.S. and Germany. Students learned that in Germany, extracurricular activities are not provided by schools. One student also spent time with the soccer team, teaching some techniques learned by the teams he plays with. 

For visiting students, the homestay experience helped broaden their horizons, and showed them what local life in the U.S. can look like. Many only had ideas based on what they had seen on television. The rural environment is very different than their own home, which in a more urban coastal setting. 

RU students will have an opportunity to travel to Germany either in the spring or fall of next year. 

Deb Lary, RUMHS Health teacher and coordinator for the exchange, noted, “It takes a community to have an exchange program.” 

For more information, or to be a host family for students from the Shizukuishi, Japan exchange program who will be visiting in January, please contact Deb Lary.