By: Hank Harwell
They came from far away, not knowing exactly what to expect or where they were to live for a year. But two exchange students from West Germany made it. They call Texarkana their home-away-from-home and TCC their school. Helga Nehering and Peter Littauer arrived in July. One of the first things about America they say they weren’t prepared for was the distances. Americans think that, say, a trip from Texarkana to Dallas is no big deal, but in Germany, the students said, people wouldn’t travel that distance “just to visit a friend,” in Peter’s words.
He also said that he was surprised to find no public transportation system in Texarkana and that there were “too many hamburgers.”
Helga said she noticed more churches here and commented that religious faith was stronger here than at home. She also said that students in Germany don’t usually go to work after school.
At this time of year, one usually begins to think of Christmas and other holidays. The students, being “strangers in a strange land” said that customs in Germany are a little different from here. Peter said it’s a lot like our Thanksgiving when almost all the family gathers to celebrate Christmas.
The two also pointed out that since they don’t use artificial trees, they don’t put their trees up quite as early. They also don’t start buying presents as early as we do. “It’s warmer in Germany,” Helga explained. While she is spending the holidays with her American family, Peter is planning to use his Christmas break to tour Texas with his girlfriend.
Because they come not only from a different country, but a different continent, it would be easy to assume that these exchange students are different from people here. But they aren’t.
Just ask Peter Littauer what he misses most. He’ll tell you, “I miss most my German car.”