Unsere US-Praktikantin Riley Coburn besuchte im Rahmen ihres Praktikums deutsche Schulen und sprach dort über die USA. Hier berichtet sie über ihre Erfahrung:
As part of my internship with the Atlantic Academy, I had the opportunity to visit several local schools in Ramstein and Kaiserslautern to share my experiences growing up in the United States. During these visits, I presented on my home state of Wyoming, a topic which sparked particular interest among students due to its rural lifestyle, local cuisine, and unique wildlife. I also reflected on my own experiences adapting to life in Germany, highlighting the intercultural differences and similarities between American and German communities. Together, we discussed a wide range of topics, including American politics, regional diversity, and every day high school life.
The students asked thoughtful, engaging questions about the realities behind various stereotypes on the United States that they had encountered through media, travel, or personal interactions. It was informative to hear their perspectives on transatlantic issues, and I was particularly impressed by their awareness of and curiosity about American society. Through these conversations, I gained valuable insight into the younger generation’s views of the United States, as well as a better understanding of the (seemingly) complicated German school system.
Not only did these interactions create opportunities for mutual learning, but they also demonstrated the value of intercultural dialogue and the role it plays in strengthening transatlantic connections. By engaging with one another, both the students and I gained a deeper appreciation for the cultural nuances that shape our respective communities. People-to-people exchanges such as these remain pivotal to the German-American relationship, and fostering engagement will be essential to continuing cooperation in the future.
Riley besuchte das BurgGymnasium Kaiserslautern sowie das Reichswald-Gymnasium Ramstein-Miesenbach. Wir bedanken uns ganz herzlich bei den Schulen und den tollen Schüler*innen für das Interesse!
