Presseberichte » German discovers Wapak
Presseberichte

German discovers Wapak
17.09.2010 - 15:15 von

Americans may say it about Texas, but for a German exchange student, everything is bigger in America, specifically in Wapakoneta.
Sixteen-year-old Gino Desilva, of Lengerich, Germany, arrived in the U.S. on Sept. 1 to stay with his host family, Carolyn and Dave Campbell. Since his arrival he’s made one observation that has held true.
“Everything is bigger here,” Gino said.
Even though Gino’s hometown is twice the size of Wapakoneta, he said here the stores are bigger, the vehicles are bigger, the streets are bigger. Of course, American portions also are larger and there’s fast food around every corner. “We drive Audis or Volkswagens,” Gino said. “Our streets are small.”
The only time they might eat a cheeseburger is at McDonald’s or Burger King, which isn’t a common occurrence.
Meals in Germany are more often Sauerbraten, which is a pot roast, schnitzels, which is pounded and breaded veal as well as sausages, potatoes, and Schwenkbraten, a type of grilled pork steaks.
Despite his observations, Gino still isn’t sure he’s found anything that he thinks is better in Germany.
Time will tell, he said, as he’ll still be attending Wapakoneta High School as a junior through the end of November.
Fluent in English, Gino said he hasn’t had too much trouble acclimating himself to the language, but he has found another means to communicate, at school and with his host family that doesn’t require words.
A passionate musician, Gino plays four different instruments. This week he was uniformed as a saxophone player for the Wapakoneta High School Marching Redskins. He said there’s no comparison to the school band in Germany and here. “The band there is not so good,” said Gino, who is excited to wear his uniform for the first time at tonight’s home football game and before the season is over to try marching, something he has never done before. For now, he stands on the sidelines and plays, or he’ll play a few melodies for the Campbells to dance to in the kitchen.
He’s also excited to attend his first homecoming dance next weekend. “We have something like this, but not exactly,” Gino said. “It’ll be my first time getting dressed up like that and asking someone.”
Not sure yet who his date will be, Gino is looking forward to asking someone to accompany him and share the experience.
In regard to classwork, Gino said the tempo at which lessons are taught, especially in math, is much faster in Germany and rather than focusing on certain areas, such as algebra or trigonometry, high school level math classes are called just that, with teachers starting at a certain place and working through everything they can, covering all different parts of the subject.
Even if German students may have tougher lessons in class, they get more breaks in the same amount of time, too: “We have two 15-minute breaks and one 30-minute break in our school. Here there’s no time to go to the toilet.”
After school in Germany, Gino said he spends much of his time playing music or computer games and hanging out with friends. Friday and Saturday nights they go to parties and Sunday is for relaxing.
Gino, an only child who has considered a career in music, said he spends his free time here much the same way. He noted the weather is better, allowing for more time outside in Wapakoneta since there is less rain.
He’s looking forward to trips to Chicago and New York and is watching more football than ever before.
“There is much football here, there is none in Germany.” Popular sports there include soccer, tennis and Formula One racing.
Gino said he’s learning about it and still working on understanding the rules of football.
“I wanted to see other things, a new language, a new country,” Gino said of his decision to be an exchange student.
“It’s great. I think this is not my last time here,” he said.
Quelle: Wapak Daily News - 17.09.2010
By KAREN CAMPBELL - Assistant Managing Editor
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