A positive exchange with Germany

 In the past few months, a familiar face has roamed the halls of Yellow Medicine East High School. With long brown hair, a friendly smile, and a positive attitude, Jenny Oberbichler, YME’s foreign exchange student from Germany, has made quite an impression.
In a time where many students are stressed about performing well academically in school and being involved in various activities, keeping up with a teenage social life can be a little too much. Now imagine being thousands of miles away from home in a country where the people speak an entirely different language and live a very different culture. Such a scenario is one that Oberbichler has grown accustomed to but at the same is thrilled to undertake.
Born in Hamburg, Germany, a prosperous city of about 1.7 million inhabitants, Oberbichler decided to study abroad in Granite Falls mainly "to experience culture and meet new people." Along the way she has been able to do both.
During her stay here in Granite Falls, Oberbichler has had the opportunity to enjoy a true Minnesotan winter with her host family Bob and Rita Knutson.
“I love the snow. It’s really pretty in the winter . . .snowmobiling and sledding with a motorcycle helmet at Kate Scheffler’s house have become my new favorite hobbies,” said a smiling Oberbichler.
Oberbichler also likes to take trips to Walmart with some of the new friends she’s made here as well as going to sporting events.
“I like Walmart trips with Anna Olson, Cynthia, and Roxana Trevino, because we don’t have a Walmart in Germany . . .going to games with Shelby Dahl, Kaitlyn Flaata, and Kelsey Imes is also very fun.
Said Cynthia Trevino, a friend of Oberbichler, “Jenny is not afraid to experience the American culture.” With this said, Oberbichler has been involved in tennis, concert choir, and the one act play. In the latter activity, Oberbichler was able to show a natural comedic talent and received a lot of laughs from the audience. In terms of her favorite school subjects they include chemistry, sociology, and U.S. History, stating, “it’s nice to [learn] a different perspective” (referring to her U.S. History class).
Oberbichler’s future plans include finishing school in Germany and possibly return to the United States to attend college. She hopes to find a job that involves traveling, history, and/or politics.