German exchange students to make nine-day visit here

Students from Mountain Home High School will have a chance to experience the German culture first hand through a student exchange visit that starts later this week.

The 17 students and their two adult chaperones are scheduled to arrive in Mountain Home on Friday as part of a nine-day visit.

The visit is part of the German American Partnership Program, or GAPP. Celebrating its 41st anniversary, the non-profit high school exchange program is sponsored each year by the German Foreign Office and by the U.S. State Department.

"The main objective of the program is the integration of students into the everyday life of host families and into the classroom activities of host schools to provide them with a coherent intercultural experience," program officials said in a prepared statement.

According to Cindy Cook, who teaches the high school's German language courses, the visit marks the first time the high school here will host this type of visit.

The students are from the city of Hofgeismar, located in central Germany. The town's population is approximately the same as Mountain Home.

During their stay in Mountain Home, the guests will pair up with the families of students enrolled in the high school's German language program. To qualify, students here needed a minimum of two years of fluency in German.

According to Shaun Holland, who has three years of German language training, having an in-depth knowledge of the language was necessary to allow students from both countries to have a meaningful conversations beyond basic words and phrases.

Cody Boguslawsk, who has three years of German language training, has spent the past few weeks conducting more in-depth research in the culture in hopes of showing these students to something uniquely American.

"I've been thinking about what's truly American," he said. Since the United States is comprised of people representing so many cultures, he wanted to find things that were "truly American" and introduce them to his guest.

"There are a lot of things we take for granted," Boguslawsk said. It's these sights and experiences that he hopes to introduce to these students.

Shaun Holland wanted to introduce these students to unique American treats, in particular Twinkies.

"I just want to make them some American-style bread," added Macey Holland, who enjoys baking.

There are places that the students here plan to take their guests over the next several days. Among them is a visit with Mayor Tom Rist and a tour of the Mountain Home Historical Museum.

"It'll be cool to take them to the Bruneau Sand Dunes," Boguslawsk said.

"We're taking our (guest) to Vegas since we're having a hockey tournament there. "Wal-Mart would be good to see, too," added Wilhelm Oppedyk, who just started his second year in the high school's German class.

With just two days before their guests arrive, the students here admit the anticipation and excitement continues to grow.

"I've been counting down the days. "I'm really stoked to meet her," said Macey Holland, who is also starting her second year of German classes at the high school.

"The days really snuck up on me, especially when it was down to just 10 days," Shaun Holland added.

"I'm excited because he's going to experience a lot of good stuff," Oppedyk said.

In addition to getting their homes ready for their extra guests, many of the students admit they have made other preparations as well.

Boguslawsk has spent the past few weeks chatting with his incoming guest through Facebook "to see what he likes," he said. They plan to also talk via video link on Skype as well.

"I'm excited to be his American liaison," he added.

Later this year, the Mountain Home High School students will travel to Hofgeismar to visit with the families of the students they hosted here.

"I've been wanting to go to Germany, and being able to host one of these students is a bonus," Macey Holland said.

"Who wouldn't want to do this," Shaun Holland added.