Sitting in the home of Debbie and Stewart Firth, going over applications from perspective exchange students from Finland, Spain, and France, 17-year-old Kristin Schroeder recalled how she felt when she was in their shoes.
“I was thinking, ‘Oh my god, what have you done?’” said Schroeder, thinking back to the first few moments after her plane left her home in Stedtlingen, Germany.
She remembered sitting apprehensively on the plane trying to listen to the in-flight movie in English–her nerves on edge when she found she couldn’t understand what was going on. She switched to the German band for most of the flight.
“I didn’t know there was a German channel,” said Jan Müller, 17, who also arrived in Canada from Germany late last August. “I just listened to jazz.”
But sitting around the living room of the Firths, who hosted two of the seven exchange students this past school year, it’s apparent they’re now quite comfortable with their Canadian surroundings–and the English language.
Also getting ready to head for home are Johanna Lankinen, 17, and Julia Loos, 18, who arrived from Germany, Lukas Curschellas, 18, who came from Switzerland, and Karen Ribauld, 19, from France.
The youngest student, 15-year-old Jake Kilsby, arrived in January from his home in Australia.
“I was scared,” agreed Ribauld. “I didn’t really think about it until I was on the plane. But you grow up a lot, you make new friends, and you know that you can be more independent.
“I have a twin sister and I would never go out on my own,” she added.
“I definitely got more independence and it helped me a lot to find myself,” echoed Lankinen.
The students also learned a lot about the country and people who live here.
“It was very cold, it was too cold. It was the most snow I’ve ever seen,” said Kilsby, comparing Canada to his home in Melbourne, Australia, where temperatures rarely dip to the freezing mark.
“When you go over there and it’s frozen, and then when it’s a river, it’s like it can’t be the same place,” said Kilsby, indicating the Rainy River.
“I thought it was scary when we drove on the river with a truck,” added Schroeder.
The group also have learned about themselves through many different aspects of Canadian culture. “I have examined my religious mind by seeing other directions of belief,” said Müller. “And I saw a porcupine,” he added. “I didn’t know what it is and they said it shoots needles and I said ‘Oh.’”
Loos already has left for home, with the rest leaving over the next two weeks.
Meanwhile, the Firths, who are the area co-ordinators for the American Scandinavian Student Exchange (ASSE), are considering the next group of students and looking for hosts to accommodate them.
The couple, who have five children of their own, have hosted exchange students for four years.
“We always have wanted to share our home and give students the chance to fulfill their dream,” said Debbie Firth. “It’s hard to believe 10 months have already gone by.”
The students not only have a number of stories to tell when they return home but a number of friends here to keep in touch with.
“We got to go to high school,” said Müller, who said he had a great time at the Sturgeon Creek Alternative Program. Müller said he watched students in high schools on television while in Germany and wondered what they were really like.
The students all agreed one major highlight of their year in school here was the prom.
“It was really big with the [dresses] and all that stuff. At home it’s just graduation and then ‘bye,’” said Ribauld.
“I just think they are more friendly here, more relaxed, and not as rushed,” added Kilsby.
And it won’t be easy to say goodbye to their new friends.
“I want to say thanks to everyone who have made it so much easier and thanks to the hosts,” said Schroeder.
“And thanks to our teachers, they were really nice,” added Ribauld.
They also are leaving smitted by the travel bug.
“I want to be able to travel the world when I’m older,” said Kilsby as the rest all nodded in agreement.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
