“What is the biggest difference between the youth culture in Germany and the one in America?” is probably one of the most popular questions I was asked this year. Honestly, I did not notice anything profoundly different. In general, it is difficult to talk about differences between the two countries. Once you live in a country long enough, it’s hard to differentiate between the two.

The biggest disparity between here and Germany is driving. In Germany the driving age is 18. Here in America, teenagers are very dependent on their car because everything here is bigger and farther apart. In Germany the public transportation system is more developed than in Albuquerque since so many people do not use a car to go to work or school. I can go where ever I want by bus or train, or even by foot.  But in Albuquerque I always have to ask someone for a ride. I think it is great for kids to learn to drive at a young age and grow more confident in it. Especially here in Albuquerque it is very useful because there are not many other modes of transportation to go where you want to.

Looking at Albuquerque, I am very happy that I came to this “New Mexican, weird, not-English-speaking city” (as many Americans would describe it). In my opinion Albuquerque is a special, extraordinary and very interesting city. I have enjoyed my year so far, especially because there are many things you can try that you won’t find in the other parts of the United States, like green chili. I love New Mexican food; it is something that makes Albuquerque and New Mexico unique because it does not stick to just fast food. Not only is the green chili exquisite here but I also enjoyed Mexican food like enchiladas, taquitos, etc. I did not only experience the American way of eating but the (New) Mexican way as well.

I also discovered that the scenery in New Mexico is stunning. I had the chance to go to Carlsbad, Alamogordo, Roswell, Los Alamos and other New Mexican cities. The highlight of my New Mexican trips was my drive back from Los Alamos. I discovered the beauty of New Mexico. I saw pueblos and drove through a volcano. One minute I was driving through snow, and the other minute it was warm outside! Wherever I was the magnificence of the mountains and the environment amazed me.

A big influence in my exchange year here has been Albuquerque Academy. Even though I was often exhausted in the beginning of the year and kind of mad because I had to spent a lot of time in and for school, other than discovering Albuquerque (this was in the very beginning of the year, when I had just arrived and already going to school without seeing anything), I really enjoyed this school year. The Academy is a lot of work, but I think all the work you put into school is really worth it. There are many distinctions between the German school system and the American. In Germany we do not get to elect every subject. The government gives the schools a set subject plan and everyone learns the same in each year.

Other than that, we have three different types of school, distinguished by how well you do in school. You will either go to the high educated school (12 years of school), the “average school” (ten years of school, but you can go on to 12 if you are doing well) and the lowest form of school, where the ones who are not doing very well go (nine years of school, sometimes ten). Not only did Academy’s academics help me to improve this year, but all the extra curricular activities it offered were a delight for me. Mainly, I was active in performing arts. Now I enjoy the athletics of Academy while playing softball. I really enjoy the many opportunities students are offered here and that they are able to try everything they want. You have a lot of choices and a lot of time to discover your way. The activities you do, be it a sport or a performing art, help you discover your strength, find your limits and exceed those. Academy taught me that there’s always a way to challenge yourself and make yourself better. And that’s what shaped my year here, too, and made it successful.

I am very glad that I was able to do an exchange year and I thank the people who made my year even better than it is. It was a pleasure to meet everyone and experience the thought of helping other people here.