Last October, we were fortunate to have a fantastic foreign exchange student stay with us for a few weeks. He was actually here to spend time with my stepson, Keegan, before reciprocating when Keegan travels to Germany in June.
Tjark ("
TEE-ARK") was a wonderful guest and we learned a great deal from each other during his stay. He traveled here with about ten other German students. Tjark has an excellent command of the English language and it was great fun to learn a bit of the German language from him. I was limited to
Guten Morgen Fraulein and
Eine Bier Bitte being part of my German vocabulary!
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| Our new friend, Tjark |
In preparation for his visit, during the time he was here, and still now we're corresponding, via email, with Tjark's parents, Dag and Frauke. It really has been a joy to learn more about their culture, their home, and Germany in general. Their home in Eckernförde is in the northern part of Germany, actually between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, not far south of the Danish border.
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| Tjark's home town. |
It was a very educational time for all of us. We enjoyed Tjark's company and loved watching him and Keegan playing competitive video games, introducing Tjark to our customs, while learning a great deal about his own. It truly is a small world we inhabit.
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| Tjark and Keegan playing Wii. |
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| Carving Halloween pumpkins---which is also done in Germany. |
We got quite attached to Tjark by the time he had to travel back home. Having him with us was a joy, one we won't forget. This June, when Keegan travels to Eckernförde, I know each of us wishes we could go along!
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After our farewell family dinner, before Tjark made
the very long trip back to his home. |
Auf Wiedersehen, Tjark...until we meet again.
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