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Bridges of Friendship: 40 years of exchange between Schleiden and New Jersey!
Euskirchen celebrates 40 years of student exchange with New Jersey; Relations between the USA and Germany in the focus of current politics.
Bridges of Friendship: 40 years of exchange between Schleiden and New Jersey!
In Cologne, the current news is firmly in the grip of US politics. Questions about new decrees, customs duties and difficulties with tourist visas dominate the discussions. Relations between Germany and the USA have appeared tense and fragile since Donald Trump's term in office. Despite these global challenges, there is encouraging news from the region that builds bridges in both an intellectual and cultural sense.
The Clara-Fey-Gymnasium in Schleiden recently celebrated a very special occasion: 40 years of student exchange with St. Peter’s Preparatory School in New Jersey. What began as a small newspaper advertisement by English teacher Gertrud Gehrung has developed into an integral part of school activities since 1985. Around 150 guests took part in this memorable anniversary, including many former students and current exchange students.
A look into the past
The exchange between the two schools is not just a simple program, but has changed many lives. James De Angelo, a former participant, remembers his first visit to Germany as a culture shock. This exchange inspired him so much that he became a German teacher himself. Today he is principal at the Loyola School in Manhattan and understands only too well the importance of this intercultural exchange.
The student groups, which consist of between 20 and 25 young people every two years, create long-term bonds and friendships through their visits. At the anniversary celebration, Mayor Ingo Pfennings praised the importance of personal relationships in strengthening the transatlantic partnership. Director Roswitha Schütt-Gerhards added that such exchanges are more than just travel - they are an investment in the future.
The European dimension and youth programs
Parallel to the anniversary, there are also European programs that encourage young people to gain new experiences. Anyone aged 17 or over can register for the European Solidarity Corps. These are voluntary services in various charitable projects abroad that can last between two months and a year. Participants can expect a wide range of support, including covering basic travel and accommodation costs as well as access to language training and an educational support program, as shown on federalgovernment.de is explained.
And the Erasmus program is also open to young people to expand their skills through international projects. These exchange opportunities not only promote intercultural learning, but also awareness of social challenges. Workshops, sports activities and role-playing games are part of the program offered by many European youth organizations, such as youth.europa.eu described.
Current political developments may seem challenging, but initiatives such as those of the Clara-Fey-Gymnasium and the European youth programs show that personal relationships and intercultural understanding are of great importance. In this sense, Cologne remains a bridge between different cultures that can grow together despite all adversities.