“Eine Lebenserfahrung”: Exchange student’s view on her stay in northern Michigan

By Kate McCarty
Sun contributor
Every few years the Glen Lake student body has the opportunity to get to know a student from another country. During the course of the second semester of the 2003-04 school year at Glen Lake, fellow students came to know the beautiful, intelligent Theresa Holverscheid, a German student who came to stay with the Tompkins family. Theresa brought many qualities with her when she came to this community. When asked why she wanted to become an exchange student, Theresa, affectionately called “Tessi,” answered, “I have always been interested in other cultures. I enjoy learning languages, and a trip to the U.S. seven years ago made me want to live here for a while.”

While in the United States, Tessi has taken part in many activities in the community. She played volleyball and soccer, and worked as a member of the backstage crew during “The Unsinkable Molly Brown.”
When interviewed about her stay in Glen Arbor, this is what Theresa had to say about the school, community, and experience:
Sun: What do you love about the U.S.?
Holverscheid: “I love how the people always ask me how I feel and if they could help me, and also I love how they ask me questions about Germany. Seriously, every single person I have met here has been so nice and friendly, and I really want to come back and live here sometime. Also, I like how the U.S. is so big and that there are so many different things to see and to experience.”
Sun: What do you miss about Germany?
Holverscheid: “Certainly my family, my friends, my Volleyball team and chocolate.”
Was it hard to say goodbye to your family, and how do you feel about your family here?
“I guess it will be a lot harder to say goodbye to my friends and my American family here, as I know things will never be the same again, even if I come to visit. When I left home I knew I would come back in only seven months and everything would be nearly the same, so that was not a huge problem for me. The Tompkins, my host family, and I have been a perfect match in many ways and they made me feel at home from the first day on. I sure will miss them a lot back in Germany.”
Sun: What are some of your favorite things about Michigan?
Holverscheid: “It’s so beautiful! I loved skiing in the winter, I love swimming and going to the beach in the summer. I like the little towns like Glen Arbor and Leland, and most of all I love the people here. Also I think fudge is very good.”
Sun: How did you like Glen Lake School. Did you feel that it’s different from German schools?
Holverscheid: “I went to Glen Lake School and it was awesome. I loved the people and how friendly they welcomed me. So if anybody from Glen Lake reads this: Thank you so much. The school was hard at times, but we also had many fun times. I personally think that school here is more laid-back and students and teachers have a better understanding of each other than they do in Germany. Also there’s a lot more school spirit, which I enjoyed a lot.”
Sun: If you could take one thing back to Germany with you after your stay, what would it be, and why?
Holverscheid: “Can I take all my friends, please? If I can’t take them I would take one of the lakes so I could go swimming in the clear water.”
Sun: What do you love most about Michigan that you don’t have in Germany?
Holverscheid: “The nature. We do have nature in Germany as well, but I don’t live that close to it so I would not have the opportunity to just go canoeing or swimming in a lake that often. Sometimes I think it is breath-taking just to drive through the county and see all the nature around, like the lakes, the dunes and the woods.”
Sun: Do you feel the Glen Lake students treated you respectfully?
Holverscheid: “Yes they did. Without exceptions they have all treated me well and I have made many new friends that I love and that I hope to stay in touch with. I have never heard anything rude or impolite. I just hope that many other exchange students will be able to attend this school in the future.”
Sun: Do you think you’ll remember your experience in years to come?
Holverscheid: “I will never forget the time I spent here in Michigan, that’s for sure. The student exchange was a once in a lifetime experience and I have so many nice memories to take with me that I can’t possibly forget about it. Also I hope to always stay in touch with my American family and my American friends.”
Sun: When you look back on your stay, what were some of your favorite things about it? Holverscheid: “Fun times with my friends and my host family, snowball, prom, basketball games, soccer and volleyball season, graduation, my trip to Chicago, walking through Meijer and the mall, watching movies, swimming in the lakes, a trip to Ohio, having lunch outside, going sledding at night, skiing, bonfires — there are just too many things.”
Sun: Lastly, if you could say one thing to all the students at Glen Lake, what would it be? THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING. Please stay in touch.
Although she leaves mid-July, one thing is certain, Tessi certainly has enjoyed her stay, and feels like many do, Glen Arbor is an amazing place. It has left a lasting impact on the young German. She will carry a piece of this place with her wherever she goes. And all who have known her hope she will return to the place she has called home for the last seven months.