SEM’s German Exchange

By: Emily T.

This fall, four students from Dortmund, Germany experienced an exchange at SEM. Charly Nocon, Lotti Schnelle, Leni Pelzer, and Romy Fieber arrived at SEM in mid-August and they left on December 9th. The students stayed in the houses at SEM and lived with other students from many different places who had different cultures and stories. 

Before arriving at SEM, the four exchange students and their friends who came with them visited New York City, where they went on walking tours, visited Times Square, and saw the World Trade Center Memorial. From New York City, the group had a long bus ride to Buffalo where they met Mr. Valdez. He showed them where they would be living for the 4 months of their exchange. 

During their first few weeks at SEM, all 4 students joined a team sport. Charly played tennis, Romy was on the soccer team, Leni joined the field hockey team, and Lotti competed with the golf and field hockey teams. All were successful in their chosen sports— Lotti tied for first at the All-Catholic Golf Championships—and all enjoyed being on the teams. 

While a lot happened during their time here, Leni said, “I think my favorite thing we did was Hornet and Jacket Day. It was different than anything I have experienced back at home, and I wish we did something like this back home.” Lotti agreed. 

Being away from home for a long period of time is hard, but the students shared that the friends, faculty, and students that they have met made it all easier. If anyone is interested in doing an exchange, German student Charly says, “I definitely think that everyone should have the opportunity to be an exchange student, I have learned so much about different people, places, foods, and cultures.” Charly said that if given the opportunity, she would do this again.