High School USA Blog

German is undeniably a hard language to learn. Just when you think you’ve unlocked a new level of understanding, a split verb or the genitive case is there to humble... keep reading

This past month, I've been lucky enough to join the crowds at two different Oktoberfests -- first, the opening day of the massive, world-famous Oktoberfest in Munich on September 21... keep reading

I always wondered what it’s like for the new students that just show up to a school one day and join in. Yesterday, I was able to learn first hand... keep reading

I voted for the first time today. Casting your vote from overseas is a somewhat complicated process and full of potential ways to screw it up, but today I mailed... keep reading

I am now two months into my ten-month exchange here in Germany, and I am still figuring out ways to keep my body moving and maintain the fitness I built... keep reading

If you ask any German about the Deutsche Bahn, chances are they will respond with a weighted groan or disapproving sigh. Due to its infamous delays and chaotic organization, the... keep reading

What is it like moving to the other side of the world and joining a random family? It‘s insane, frightening, and wild . As the train that took me to... keep reading

Three weeks ago, I took a 7-hour series of trains westward from my CBYX language camp at Kloster Hedersleben to my new home in a tiny village called Hamminkeln, near... keep reading

“Vrooom” the jet engines whirled to life. The flight finally was beginning. For the last hour and a half, we had been sitting at the gate, waiting for the plane... keep reading

My group of 50 CBYX students is doing our intensive German language camp at a former Cistercian monastery in the town of Hedersleben, about two hours northwest of Leipzig. It’s... keep reading

An overview of language camp

Today marks one week of "Language Camp" at Schloss Wittgenstein, a castle built in the 1100s and converted into a boarding school in the 1900s. Like many buildings in Europe... keep reading

The morning after the high school dance I attended with my new German friends, I headed over to the house where we’d had the pre-party to pick up a few... keep reading

Note: Written on June 17th, published on August 12th. Fifty one days until I wake up, pile my earthly belongings into the car, and say goodbye to the United States–the... keep reading

While I was away working as a counselor at summer camp, I hit a milestone - I turned 17 years and 10 months old. It's a milestone because in Texas... keep reading