German exchange students tour Des Plaines

More than 40 teenagers from Germany participated in a tour of downtown Des Plaines and the historic Kinder House during a picture-perfect autumn afternoon Oct. 22. The students visited as part of Maine Township High School District 207's German exchange-student program.

"It's important to learn about the area the students are staying in, and not just about Chicago all the time," said Brigitte Tautz.

Tautz was one of the German instructors from Dilthey School in Wiesbaden who led the 43 students, who are juniors at that school. "In their grade, they focus on America, the American Dream, and emigration from Germany to America."

Rebecca Schneider, 16, enjoyed the walking tour of downtown Des Plaines, which included the Des Plaines Theatre, Metra Station, and various other historic buildings. "It was interesting to hear about the development of the city," Schneider said. "I liked learning about what's the same and how things have changed."

Tautz's school first popped up on District 207's radar after Margaret Wolf, a German teacher at Maine South, located it on the Internet a few years ago.

"She was looking for a partner for Maine South that had a high reputation in Germany," Tautz said. "In Germany, we all learn English so we would like to have a special relationship with an American school. Not all schools get such an opportunity."

"We met in 2011, and we liked each other," Tautz said. "We also trusted each other, and that's important when you take students overseas."

Tautz stressed that she is thrilled to be able to immerse the group into the details of ordinary life while the students are here. During their two-week stay, each student has been living with a Maine South host family and has spent two days shadowing a student at the school.

The first group of German students visited Park Ridge and Des Plaines in 2012. The following year, the American students toured Germany.

"I like the food here; it's different from Germany," said Laura Stonner, 16. "And I like the candy, especially Reese's and Sour Patch Kids."

In addition, she appreciates the variety of stores and their clearance racks. She also mentioned that securing a driver's license costs a lot more in Germany than it does in the U.S.

Tautz said that more and more students have been applying for the program and the number of American families that agree to host is rising as well.

"It's a great opportunity for us to learn about American family lifestyle and culture, and students can improve their English. And we offer the same to American students."