This year 2,300 teenagers from all over the world will spend about ten months in US homes. They will attend US schools, meet US teenagers, and form impressions of America.They will learn new languages and gain a new understanding of the rest of the world.
Fred, nineteen, spent last year in Germany with George's family. In turn, George's son Mike spent a year in Fred's home in America.
Fred, a lively young man, knew little German when he arrived, but after two months' study, the language began to come to him. Students rose respectfully when the teacher entered the room. They took fourteen subjects instead of the six that are usual in the United States. There were almost no outside activities.
The father's word was law, and all activities were around the family rather than one of the members. Fred found the food too simple at first. Also, he missed having a car.
"Back home, you pick up some friends in a car and go out and have a good time. In Germany, you walk, but you soon learn to like it."
Meanwhile, in America, Mike, a German boy, was also forming his idea. "I suppose I should criticize (批评) American schools, " he said. "It is far too easy by our level.In Germany we do nothing but study. Here we take part in many outside activities. I think that maybe your schools are better in training for citizens. There should be some middle ground between the two. "
| A. Family life, too, was different. B. But I have to say that I like it very much. C. Here is a two-way student exchange in action. D. School was quite different from what he had expected—much harder. E. At the same time, about 1,300 American teenagers will go to other countries. |
