CHS exchange student enjoys another culture
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
Sarah Fasbender is a 17-year-old exchange student at Centre High School from Bavaria, Germany.
The junior lives with Phil and Jamie Peterson and their son Chris of Burdick.
"It's a new experience to have an older brother," Sarah said. "It makes it fun."
Sarah has an older sister back home.
"We never got along well, but now I miss her," she said. "We have good phone conversations."
Sarah's father is a lawyer, and her mother conducts a yoga school.
Coming from a small city of 100,000 people, living in a rural area has been a new experience.
"I've learned that I can experience a different culture and adapt to it," she said.
She noted that education is taken more seriously in Germany than in America. After the first four years, students are sent to one of three different kinds of schools, depending on their future goals. Education is free through college.
School days run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., with no study halls. Students study at home and do not hold jobs.
"I enjoy being relaxed here at school, where it's so laid back," she added.
German students study the history of World War II.
"What happened was horrible, but we learned a lot from it," Sarah said. "We know what war can do and it's important to find a different way."
Sarah's experience has taught her that people of various cultures have a lot in common:
"It's not so different here. We all have the same hopes and dreams. It's changed me a lot."
