A wise person once said “A relationship is not based on the length of time you spend together, it’s based on the foundation you’ve built together.”
Lakeshore’s Sister School Exchange Program (SSEP) bravely embarked on a 3 week trip to Mönchengladbach Germany last spring. Our group was the first school exchange to travel since the onset of COVID-19. During their time in Germany, our students along with Ms. Amy Perkins and Mr. Jeff Yauchstetter were housed with their partner families, living with and attending classes with their peers. The group also collaborated together on a sustainability-focused project. Both the German participants and our Lakeshore group visited an active lignite mine as well as a wind farm, learning about clean energy.
At the end of September our Lakeshore hosts welcomed their German counterparts for a 2 ½ week stay to enjoy our community and beyond. During their time in the states, host families helped the German students experience life here, touring a variety of interesting places in Michigan, Illinois and even as far as Kansas!
While in our community, both the host students and their German counterparts continued their engagement with sustainability, learning from Cook Nuclear Plant, Whirlpool Corporation, a conversation with Congressman Fred Upton and visiting a solar array with Inovateus Solar in South Bend, Indiana.
The days flew by, with each of the families who participated wanting to spend a few more weeks together with their German visitors. Although the days weren’t long enough, the foundation of lifelong friendships were forged. These are relationships that have broadened the perspectives of all who participated.
Lakeshore Excellence Foundation is proud to sponsor a portion of this amazing Sister School Exchange Program through a Foundation Grant.