U.S. Exchange 2025: ELG Visits America – Encounters Between Boston, Cape Cod, and New York

From October 6 to 20, 2025, a group of students from Elisabeth-Langgässer-Gymnasium (ELG) visited their partners at Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School (DYRH) on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, for the ninth time. This year, the group was accompanied by Mr. Schreier and Mr. Hillenbrand. The American students had already visited Alzey earlier in the spring, and a continuation of our exchange program is planned for 2027.

The journey began with a two-day stay in Boston, where students explored the city as the historic birthplace of the United States. Guided tours and visits to landmarks such as the Massachusetts State House and the Freedom Trail offered fascinating insights into the beginnings of American history.

On October 8, the exchange on Cape Cod officially began and lasted eight days. During this time, the German students stayed with host families and attended classes at DYRH together with their American partners. This allowed them to experience school life, family routines, and local culture firsthand. Joint excursions – including a visit to Plimoth Plantation – provided further opportunities to learn about the early European settlements in North America and the region’s geographic development. Of course, there was also plenty of time to make new friends and enjoy life on the beautiful East Coast.

To round off the trip, the group spent three unforgettable days in New York City. Visits to landmarks such as the 9/11 Memorial, the Statue of Liberty, One World Trade Center, and the United Nations brought the history and present-day spirit of the metropolis to life. Watching the breathtaking sunset over Manhattan from the Empire State Building was a moment none of us will forget.

The exchange with DYRH offered participants a wealth of cultural experiences, fresh perspectives, and lasting friendships. It continues to strengthen the long-standing partnership between our two schools and fosters openness, understanding, and mutual respect — values that reach far beyond the classroom.

Philippe Hillenbrand, English teacher