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The North Branch Area Schools has a 9-12th grade German program. With this program the district is able to bring students from German speaking countries to our small town of North Branch. Traveling to a new state without your parents is hard enough, but could you imagine traveling to a new country for four weeks, or even a year? Well that's exactly what North Branch's exchange students did. Yannik Schubert and Josina Lenz stayed with families in North Branch for a total of four weeks.

They participated in activities they traditionally don't do in Germany. Josina slept with sharks at the Mall of America and visited the Glensheen Mansion in Duluth. Yannik played for the North Branch High School 9th grade baseball team. They even tried sweets that they don't have in Germany, the beloved cookie and brownie. They all enjoyed our fast food as well. Mountain Dew was also a favorite of the students.

Maja Pausch was another exchange student who experienced living in North Branch. Maja is here for a full school year. She even got to travel to New York and experience Time Square. Maja's experience here has been one that she will never forget. "The American hot dog was the best food I tried. Rice Krispies were good too," said Maja. "I made a lot of new friends and I hope that I will never lose contact with them."

All three students learned new things while in The United States. "Everyone is so friendly and nice. But it is so big." Maja explains. "In Germany everything is very close together and you can take the subway anywhere. Everyone in America drives."

All three students experienced many things and greatly enjoyed their stay here in the town of North Branch. In Yannik and Josina's case, the opportunity to host an American student in Germany is also available for their host brother, Jake Schmitz, and host sister, Molly Marrin. Jake's and Molly's families were among many families of German students at NBAHS to have agreed to host a German exchange student.

Over the past 11 years North Branch German teacher, Barb Swenson has been offering this unique opportunity to her students and families.

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