Many high schools have foreign exchange programs but most haven’t had a multigenerational impact.
At Shepard High School in Palos Heights, German exchange student Derya Arpaci, whose mom participated in the program years ago, is being hosted by Danielle Schabes, whose mother hosted Arpaci’s mom. The two mothers weren’t just exchange students, they also became friends, which led the way for their two daughters to also bond.
The two daughters also developed a love for different languages and cultures as a result.
“In general, I love learning new languages, so I also learned French and am going to become a French and English teacher,” said Arpaci, a student at Germany’s University of Landau who is learning about American teaching styles and practicing the skill at Shepard. “I really love learning the languages, getting to know new cultures, new people, new places.
“My mother is like me, so very open to new cultures, new people and she participated in a few exchanges programs and has a lot of friends from other countries like France and America,” Arpaci said.
Schabes echoed that enthusiasm.
“My mom was involved in it when she was young and I think that’s what really made me want to do it,” said Schabes, who lives in Worth. “I grew up knowing Derya, doing Skype or video calls sometimes when we were kids.”
Schabes visited Germany three years ago and had a chance to meet many of the people her mother met through the exchange, “sharing memories.” She is in the school’s German/dual credit class with Loyola University.
Arpaci and her mother both attended Johann Wolfgang Goethe Gymnasium high school, the school in Saxony, Germany that works with Shepard.
The exchange students typically attend the German school, but Schabes’ mother asked Shepard associate principal Jen Pollack if Arpaci could participate and do one of her four required internships there. Her student teaching is from Sept. 13 to Oct. 1.
Jennifer Fischer, who teaches German in Community High School District 218, said Arpaci was offering some fresh ideas.
“Derya and I are working together to create some new activities together,” said Fischer, who oversees the program. “She was helping me grade speaking assessments yesterday and was explaining how written assignments are graded in Germany.
“For example, teachers in Germany are often required to correct entire students’ essays, which we don’t do here necessarily,” said Fischer, explaining students make the corrections themselves or participate in peer editing.
At German schools you won’t find students checking their phones incessantly because they are prohibited in class, noted Fischer.
There aren’t the same security concerns in German schools and students and staff and students come and go and there is no requirement to sign in and out.
“It’s really a unique opportunity for her to come and do this,” said Fischer. “It’s common that people (in Germany) study abroad but unique that she has the connection here with this particular school.”
Arpaci said she was learning how different the teaching style and entire school system is in this country.
“I’m very happy to be here and everybody is so nice to me,” said Arpaci. “I want to thank everybody.”
Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
