Ambitious Foreign Exchange Student Adjusts to New Home by Shannon Kriger

Leaving your home country to come to a completely foreign nation is clearly a rather difficult concept, but 17-year-old Jette Vogel of Northern Germany makes it look easy.

When passing her in the halls, you’d never guess that Vogel is from overseas. She is eminently friendly and always appears to be enthusiastic when it comes to learning something new.

Attending a school where everyone speaks a foreign language is undoubtedly difficult, but Vogel proved herself willing for new experiences even more when she decided to join the basketball team at Oxford Hills.

“I decided to play basketball this winter because I wanted to learn a new sport. In Germany I had done track and field for 12 years and I never had the chance to learn something new,” Jette explained. “I’m happy to play basketball and I enjoy the time I spend with my team.”

Although Vogel loves Maine and being in the USA, she pointed out that she is not too fond of all of the woods that surround Maine. She’s used to a more metropolitan environment; especially when it comes to public transportation.

“There’s no form of public transportation or anything like that in this area, and that’s kind of bad if you don’t have a car or license,” Vogel clarified.

Another diversity that Jette had noticed in the United States is the school system. She explained how in Germany, you have to take all the classes that are offered; giving Vogel a school schedule of 14 different classes in her home country. In Oxford Hills, students class schedules usually consist of 7 or 8 classes.

Vogel appreciates the freedom in Oxford Hills when it comes to the classes she is taking among the various classes offered at the school.

“I really enjoy not having so much pressure with so many different classes. It’s a lot easier,” Jette commented.

Aside from having to adjust to Maine’s diverse environment, Vogel is thrilled to be in Maine and is making countless memories that she’ll cherish for the rest of her life.

“I have never had an experience like this and I had never been in the US before, so the whole thing is really exciting for me.. I like Maine and am very happy to be here.”