What happens when a German teenager who grew up on Hollywood movies lands in the middle of Iowa?
Frey was sitting locked out in his family’s garden when two pieces of news arrived minutes apart. His family had gotten their new apartment, and he had won a full Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) scholarship to spend a year in the United States.
In this episode, Frey talks with host Kelsey Ross about preparing for exchange with the German organization GIVE, and about a year full of firsts. He played running back on his first-ever American football team, and he tried track, bowling, and choir. He cooked his first Thanksgiving turkey, and he introduced his host family to raclette on New Year’s Eve. He also talks honestly about the quiet weeks when homesickness hit, and about the mindset that pulled him through it.
He shares how he connected with his host dad before arrival over a shared love of firefighting, plus his dream of opening an authentic German restaurant. He also reflects on why he learned more about German culture in America than he ever did at home.
If you’re applying for CBYX, thinking about hosting, or just love a good coming-of-age story, this one’s for you.
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