I have been here for three months and I am fascinated by Cal High. I looked around the campus and everything was new and totally different compared to my old school. 

In my hometown of Berlin, Germany, we have only one schoolhouse, a little court and 800 students. Compared to Cal, it seems like nothing. I would say my school in Germany is only a quarter the size of this school. 

I moved here to learn how to speak English better and to learn how to manage myself in the suburbs. 

In Germany, I lived in the middle of the city, where it take a maximum of five minutes to walk to everything I need. So it’s a lot easier getting to everything I need there compared to here. 

Before I even got here, I had to take a test so that the school knew how good my English was. 

I was a little nervous while taking the test because when I was in Germany my English grades were never very good. But, I passed the test and was allowed to go to normal English classes.

After this, I was really excited for the first day of school. But on the first day I didn’t feel very well, I think the excitement mixed with my anxiety was the reason for this. 

I went to school on my bike and looked at my first period class, which was also my first American class. It was in the event center for net sports. 

My second period was team sports and I thought that my schedule went in numerical order. Therefore I stayed in the event center and waited for the next class. 

As I sat there, I wondered why there was a man’s name on my schedule while the teacher in front of me was a woman. 

I asked the teacher and noticed that I missed my third period. “Really good start for me,” I thought “missed the first day of a class”. 

After this point I knew where I had to go and the rest of the day ran smoothly. 

My first days at school were accustom and scouting the court. I played basketball, went into the free-time room in the secretary’s office, and looked around the campus. 

I also met other people that were new on the school and from other countries.

I noticed really fast that the people here are open, friendly, and help you when you ask. But also they tend to only hang out  in their own groups. 

After three weeks, I met junior Hunter Morris and he showed me around and let me join his group of friends. 

At first it was hard to talk with the people because the only topics were why I was here and what I do. 

I explained that I’m an exchange student from Germany, but that was pretty clear from the start. 

It was hard to come into conversations because I didn’t know what to say without understanding the context and situation. 

It is still hard, but now it is getting better. 

Even though they make this experience really good and I like to hang out with them. 

All in all, it’s fun here and I’ve met a lot of different people, including other exchange students from different countries.

One of these students, Tammes Buentrup who is also from Germany, says the people at Cal  are really welcoming and therefore  that he has changed a lot, becoming more open minded.

If he gave advice to other new students he would say “don’t be shy, people are very friendly here.”

The people in my group help me a lot to do everything right and I can asked when I need or don’t understand something.

A junior girl named Sophia helps me a lot which has been very useful for me.

So far, I have made good memories here. 

Although I miss Germany, I am enjoying my time here a lot, despite all of the differences.