Maja - Occupational Therapist
Arlington, VA
My Eevee is always traveling with me everywhere! It’s not like the funniest thing, but I hope it gives you a smile seeing it at famous spots 🫶🏼
Jana - Occupational Therapist
Decatur, GA
Marlene - Physical Therapist
Springfield, VA
I already knew that things like patriotism, the scale of everything, and the sports culture would be different here — but experiencing it in real life is something else. Even driving and the cars themselves made me realize how different things are compared to Germany… and how German I actually am when it comes to driving (it’s been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster!).
And then there are the sports games. Whether it’s football, baseball, or ice hockey, the game itself is exciting, but it almost feels like it’s not even the main event. There’s fireworks, flyovers, halftime shows (including a corgi race!), mascots, and all the stadium food. I was honestly overwhelmed — I’ve rarely experienced this much “America” at once. Definitely a big recommendation if you ever get the chance to go to a game!
Mae Belyn - Educator
North Wales, PA
My host family and I appeared on TV for a few seconds. The day before, we were on vacation at Niagara Falls, and you could just make out that moment in the background.
Violetta - Special Needs Care Provider
Fort Belvoir, VA
I learned that people who are strangers to you might start a random conversation, a „small talk“, in the grocery store or the gas station and tell you all the lore about their life. Like ma’am, I don’t wanna know about the weird pole you found on the street, and that you might use it to make an Umbrella out of it. Or, Sir, please stop telling me about the way your car is built differently. I just want to buy a bottle of water. This is still a culture shock to me to this day. I’ll never get used to it.
Angelina - Occupational Therapist
Ashburn, VA
I was taking care of my host kids with the support of their grandma, and my host dad later wanted to know if she was helpful. I understood „Was she awful?“ and of course answered „No!“ with a slightly confused smile on my face, because why would he ask if she was awful…the silence was very loud.
My hostdad repeated his question, and I finally understood that he asked if she was helpful, and we could clarify the miscommunication.
Kiana - Occupational Therapist
Arlington, VA
When I first arrived, I had a hard time pronouncing certain words correctly. It got so confusing that, at some point, I just started teaching my host kid the German words instead. My hostdad repeated his question, and I finally understood that he asked if she was helpful, and we could clarify the miscommunication.
Sabine - Educator
Brentwood, TN
Me – living the first time in the South and not getting the term Y’all (plural pronoun to adress two or more people).