Katherine Korte

On Sept. 12, junior Natalie Senger and her host mother Katherine Korte and host sister Jane Korte attend a home Cardinal’s game. “I never knew baseball had so many rules. I was so cold and a little bored. The food was super expensive! It was an interesting experience,” Senger said.

Living in a English speaking country with a seven hour time difference from her mother and brother, junior Natalie Senger has adapted to her new reality of studying abroad. Senger arrived Aug. 13 from Hamburg, Germany and will live with Tom and Katherine Korte until June 30, 2015.

“Of course I wanted to come to a country where the people speak English,” Senger said. “England was my first choice because they speak more formal English and it was closer to home, but I like it here too.”

International exchange programs vary in degrees of reliability. Senger’s program, the American Field Service (AFS), ensures that students are in safe homes that have a desire to host students because of the experience – not for the money that comes with hosting.

“I used to be in a different program, but then I heard some pretty bad rumors about the host families in those programs so I switched. One boy lived in a room as small as Harry Potter’s. Another boy who was living in Montana got shot one month before he was supposed to return home to Hamburg,” Senger said.

The process of finding a host family took one year.

“When you think of the United States, you think of New York and California, never Missouri! I have been pleasantly surprised about living in the Midwest,” Senger said.

After living in Saint Louis for two months, Senger has noted some differences between the culture of the midwest and her homeland.

“It seems funny that you drive everywhere, even if it’s less than a mile away. In Germany, we walk places, ride bikes or take public transportation.  I don’t understand why it isn’t that way here?” Senger said.

Senger also noted the variance of how people interact socially.

“I think when people ask you how you are doing they may not always mean it. It seems like more of a habit than them really caring about how you are. In Germany, when someone wants to know how you are doing, they sit down and talk with you rather than just say ‘good’ or ‘fine’ really fast,” Senger said.

The stereotypes of Americans being selfish have held true for Senger.

“I can’t believe how people push each other around in the halls to get to class.  If everyone would just walk together they could all get to class on time without anyone getting hurt. It’s like war or something,” Senger said.

Another stereotype that rang true to Senger was the unhealthy yet appealing quality of American food.

“American food does taste really good, especially Bread Co. which is amazing! It’s the best to get a blueberry bagel with cream cheese since we don’t have that in Germany. I’ll miss it when I go home. But I know how bad and greasy the food is here too, I’ve already gained 8 pounds in just two months. I guess it’s just funny to me how processed the food is here. Like carrots, why are they unpeeled and so small?” Senger said.

The educational system in America also has been a new experience for Senger.

“The building is much smaller and dirtier in Germany. Many German teenagers smoke everywhere – even at school! I’ve never seen anyone do that here which is very nice. I am also not used to having a water fountain and vending machines in school either,” Senger said.

Senger does not earn credit for the time she spends at Parkway West. In fact, she will need to repeat this school year when she returns to Hamburg.

“I don’t get credit for school here because my German school is much harder. For instance, I took Algebra II two years ago, but here I am taking it again! Even though it’s the same class again, it’s very different. You use Smartboards and check your homework answers with an app that reads QR codes. Another difference between education here is that the grading systems are very different. Instead of earning an  A, B, C, D, or F we use a number system from 1-6. Basically, a 1 equals an A,” Senger said.

However, the most impactful difference in schooling for Senger is having homework.

“In Germany, our school day goes from 8 a.m. – 4p.m., but here after a full day of school I go home and do more school! I feel like I’m drowning in homework!” Senger said.

Despite differences between Midwestern American culture and that of Germany, Senger has so far enjoyed her sojourn.

“I’ve been to a Cardinal’s game, the Arch, the symphony and the Bastille and One Direction concerts. Bastille is my favorite American band and I used to like One Direction- but not anymore. It’s funny because even though I’ve been learning English for five years, listening to One Direction is really what helped me understand the language!” Senger said.

Besides visiting St. Louis attractions, Senger will have the opportunity to see her brother perform at Carnegie Hall in New York during the January of 2015.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I almost wasn’t able to go. For the AFS we have four meetings that we have to go to so the agency can check in to see how I’m doing. It just so happened that the weekend one of my meetings was scheduled that my brother is playing in Carnegie Hall. I had to fight really hard for them to change it, but thankfully they did, but it’s because of the AFS meetings that I’m not able to go to Homecoming,” Senger said.

Senger has kept in touch with her family via Skype despite the seven hour time difference.

“We usually talk twice a month because otherwise I get homesick. When I talk with my mom, brother and grandparents, who live ten minutes away from me in Hamburg, they always want to know what America is like. I know I’ll have lots of stories to share when I’m home.”

Living in St. Louis has taught Senger about how to be flexible no matter the circumstance.

“It’s interesting where life leads you and I’m happy with how it’s turning out,” Senger said.