My first year at S. F. Austin High
Here I am now... the German girl, coming to the U.S. in November 2019, starting as a Freshman at Austin Highschool. What an amazing experience!
I could not really speak or understand English on my first day at the new school, although I actually had English lessons in my school in Germany for a number of years. But it was a really big difference from one or two hours per week to full time classes in a new language. But well... I made it!
My German school was small, only 230 students from grade 5 to 10! Now, I came to this big and totally different school. So many different courses, rooms, opportunities! Well, about some differences of American High School vs. German school you can read on another page.
I decided to learn in the AGS - the Academy of global Studies - because of my European background and my interests in environmental questions, different cultures and all what is going on in the world.
The first few weeks were a little overwhelming, yes, but everybody was so nice and helpful, even the students and teachers and I felt welcome.
Unfortunately, I had not much time to make new friends and get to know other students. In March 2020 we moved to online school at home due to the pandemic. That was bad, but also a completely new experience - not only for me, but for everybody.
I also could not be part of the first school projects as the Heifer travel or the Urban garden project, but there was also the Walk for water. We also had the Highway through Africa project and I made the Garden Project at home with my family.
To stay together, the teachers made a video to show the students "We miss you" and the graphic classes made a video from the students for the teachers! My family helped me to live the new life and to handle all the new ways to learn. I'm happy, that we choose the Austin High as my school!
In reflection, I can say it was a different year of school but it also was great! Due to the different learning way in the American High School my grades got much better, my language skills crowed and I found a new self-confidence.
I could not really speak or understand English on my first day at the new school, although I actually had English lessons in my school in Germany for a number of years. But it was a really big difference from one or two hours per week to full time classes in a new language. But well... I made it!
My German school was small, only 230 students from grade 5 to 10! Now, I came to this big and totally different school. So many different courses, rooms, opportunities! Well, about some differences of American High School vs. German school you can read on another page.
I decided to learn in the AGS - the Academy of global Studies - because of my European background and my interests in environmental questions, different cultures and all what is going on in the world.
The first few weeks were a little overwhelming, yes, but everybody was so nice and helpful, even the students and teachers and I felt welcome.
Unfortunately, I had not much time to make new friends and get to know other students. In March 2020 we moved to online school at home due to the pandemic. That was bad, but also a completely new experience - not only for me, but for everybody.
I also could not be part of the first school projects as the Heifer travel or the Urban garden project, but there was also the Walk for water. We also had the Highway through Africa project and I made the Garden Project at home with my family.
To stay together, the teachers made a video to show the students "We miss you" and the graphic classes made a video from the students for the teachers! My family helped me to live the new life and to handle all the new ways to learn. I'm happy, that we choose the Austin High as my school!
In reflection, I can say it was a different year of school but it also was great! Due to the different learning way in the American High School my grades got much better, my language skills crowed and I found a new self-confidence.
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My Sophomore Year
The second year at High school started also as online-school, but during the summer it had changed a lot. We all learned to use Zoom meetings for our classes and to work independent at home, but also how to come together virtually to work or talk or even have fun!
In my sophomore year, I started to work on my future. With the classes in Graphic design and Culinary arts, I could find out what I like and which direction I may go. Because I was always interested in arts, designing and photography I took this classes and yes, It was a good choice.
I worked hard in my Ballet Folklorico class, and became an Officer at the end of the school year. This made me really proud. Also, I joined the Culture Club and wanted to work in the Life buddies project. All this should be completely new experiences for me, and I learned, that school is more then classes and projects and grades. My English skills got better in understanding the language, talking to people and even in writing many essays in my classes about history, chemistry or various global themes to express my thoughts.
As for our school projects, I really liked the Up-cycling project. It was amazing to see what students created out of used things and materials, that would normally be thrown in the trash. For me from Europe, it was terrifying to see, how many trash the Americans produce every day. In Europe, we had waste separation and most plastic, paper or metal has been recycled. This is, when you start to see things in a new light. We also had to deal with topics such as nuclear power and environmental pollution in various school assignments this year. This are themes which are important all over the word!
My TLG-Plan project was about invasive species: The Zebra mussels. This is a mussel which has moved into the lakes and rivers of Texas years ago, and it is hard to get rid of this. During the project, I talked to boast owners and cleaners and created a website, to inform people about this topic and what especially boat owners can do to protect our lakes.
The travel to Costa Rica could not take place, but for me, new in America, I learned a lot about my new country. With my family, I visited many places in Texas and traveled to Colorado, Louisiana and Florida. That were great adventures, because it's totally different to Europe: in climate, landscape, vegetation and of cause also the animals are different (as I never had to look for snakes or alligators or scorpions in my old home country).
I also could make new friends, even if mainly only via zoom and social networks. I could often be a "helping hand" for one of my favorite teachers, what made me proud and happy. I never thought that I can do this!
I have faced the challenges of the new circumstances, what meant for me living on another continent, leaving all my earlier live and friends and family behind, and also to handle the changes in life with the pandemic. I have got used to the American school and life here well and all of this has made me more mature and more open to new experiences, techniques and also to other people.
In my sophomore year, I started to work on my future. With the classes in Graphic design and Culinary arts, I could find out what I like and which direction I may go. Because I was always interested in arts, designing and photography I took this classes and yes, It was a good choice.
I worked hard in my Ballet Folklorico class, and became an Officer at the end of the school year. This made me really proud. Also, I joined the Culture Club and wanted to work in the Life buddies project. All this should be completely new experiences for me, and I learned, that school is more then classes and projects and grades. My English skills got better in understanding the language, talking to people and even in writing many essays in my classes about history, chemistry or various global themes to express my thoughts.
As for our school projects, I really liked the Up-cycling project. It was amazing to see what students created out of used things and materials, that would normally be thrown in the trash. For me from Europe, it was terrifying to see, how many trash the Americans produce every day. In Europe, we had waste separation and most plastic, paper or metal has been recycled. This is, when you start to see things in a new light. We also had to deal with topics such as nuclear power and environmental pollution in various school assignments this year. This are themes which are important all over the word!
My TLG-Plan project was about invasive species: The Zebra mussels. This is a mussel which has moved into the lakes and rivers of Texas years ago, and it is hard to get rid of this. During the project, I talked to boast owners and cleaners and created a website, to inform people about this topic and what especially boat owners can do to protect our lakes.
The travel to Costa Rica could not take place, but for me, new in America, I learned a lot about my new country. With my family, I visited many places in Texas and traveled to Colorado, Louisiana and Florida. That were great adventures, because it's totally different to Europe: in climate, landscape, vegetation and of cause also the animals are different (as I never had to look for snakes or alligators or scorpions in my old home country).
I also could make new friends, even if mainly only via zoom and social networks. I could often be a "helping hand" for one of my favorite teachers, what made me proud and happy. I never thought that I can do this!
I have faced the challenges of the new circumstances, what meant for me living on another continent, leaving all my earlier live and friends and family behind, and also to handle the changes in life with the pandemic. I have got used to the American school and life here well and all of this has made me more mature and more open to new experiences, techniques and also to other people.
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The Junior Year
My third year - now as Junior - started again In-Person, even if the Corona virus pandemic was still not over jet. It was a new start for so many students, but it is great to be back. We have to wear masks during class and on the bus, but meeting the teachers and making new friends is now possible. Also, learning in class, with peers is more fun and much easier than sitting alone at home on the computer.
To follow my chosen career path, I took classes in Commercial Photography, Graphic Design II/ Newspaper and started to learn American Sign language. During an Internship with a professional photographer, I got many practical experiences.
In Ballet Folklorico, I dance and work now as Officer, started to teach the new dancers and be a part of the Management team. We started again with live performances, e.g. at our own school, some events in other schools. I became a member of the Competition Team, and together we could represent our High School and the Mexican culture on two competitions, wher we won first and second places.
Being back at school, I had now the chance to be a part of the amazing High School Life that I've only known from TV and movies: Sport events like the Football or Basketball games with the Pep Ralleys, Homecoming, the Monster Concert, and all the events promoting the School Spirit! That is really amazing, and not to compare with my school life in Germany.
I am part of the Culture Club again, and now also in the International Club. In both clubs, we want to inform students about life and cultures in other countries. We also care about and learn from our Exchange Students from Netherlands, After travel became possible again, I went with the AGS group for American Studies to a trip to New Mexico. Unfortunately I could not participate in the learning experiences in Costa Rica. During the next Summer, I'll join a educational trip to Eastern Europe, which brings me back for a few days to Germany and to famous cities and places in Eastern Europe.
My goal for the year is to find my interests for my way after High School, ...
To follow my chosen career path, I took classes in Commercial Photography, Graphic Design II/ Newspaper and started to learn American Sign language. During an Internship with a professional photographer, I got many practical experiences.
In Ballet Folklorico, I dance and work now as Officer, started to teach the new dancers and be a part of the Management team. We started again with live performances, e.g. at our own school, some events in other schools. I became a member of the Competition Team, and together we could represent our High School and the Mexican culture on two competitions, wher we won first and second places.
Being back at school, I had now the chance to be a part of the amazing High School Life that I've only known from TV and movies: Sport events like the Football or Basketball games with the Pep Ralleys, Homecoming, the Monster Concert, and all the events promoting the School Spirit! That is really amazing, and not to compare with my school life in Germany.
I am part of the Culture Club again, and now also in the International Club. In both clubs, we want to inform students about life and cultures in other countries. We also care about and learn from our Exchange Students from Netherlands, After travel became possible again, I went with the AGS group for American Studies to a trip to New Mexico. Unfortunately I could not participate in the learning experiences in Costa Rica. During the next Summer, I'll join a educational trip to Eastern Europe, which brings me back for a few days to Germany and to famous cities and places in Eastern Europe.
My goal for the year is to find my interests for my way after High School, ...
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The Senior Year
Already three years have passed and I will never miss any second of my time at AHS. School is again "normal" after the Pandemic time, and the Senior Year will be something very special.
My interest in Photography is grown and since the Commercial Photography Class is no longer availlible at AHS, I decided to take the Yearbook class and became here the Potograpy Leed. Now I am responsible for the whole equipment, my photography peers and all the events to be banned on pictures. In addition, I could develope my skils during my Senior Internship. And yes, I finally applied at some Colledges and Universities to ectend my way in the Art, Graphic Design, and Photography direction.
During this year, I didn't work as Officer in the Ballet Folklorico Class, but wotked hard there and will again be a part of the Competition team in Spring 2023 and was still helping with teaching and motivating the younger students and with craeting parts of the choreographies.
Being a part of the LinkCrew made me very proud too. Here I can help younger students to find their way in the school, organize events or... The team of so many students working together is amazing.
And there ware so many exciting events at the school: the Homecomming week, the Football Game nights and all the Pep Rallies, I was wisiting the persformances of the Theater Class or the concerts of the Band and Choir, the Monster Concert and Halloween Carnival and the Winter Dance... Even if it was sometimes hard to get school and all the other activities "under a hat", all the experiences were worth it. If possible, I still joined meetings of the Culture Club and made friends with some Excange Students from Germany, that spend the year on my school.
In January our Academie for Global Studies will travel to Thailand. This will be an exciting experience for all of us. We all have never been to Asia, and so this will be a total new adventure.
Finally, I will graduate in May 2023. This is a Main goal and a big point in my life.
My interest in Photography is grown and since the Commercial Photography Class is no longer availlible at AHS, I decided to take the Yearbook class and became here the Potograpy Leed. Now I am responsible for the whole equipment, my photography peers and all the events to be banned on pictures. In addition, I could develope my skils during my Senior Internship. And yes, I finally applied at some Colledges and Universities to ectend my way in the Art, Graphic Design, and Photography direction.
During this year, I didn't work as Officer in the Ballet Folklorico Class, but wotked hard there and will again be a part of the Competition team in Spring 2023 and was still helping with teaching and motivating the younger students and with craeting parts of the choreographies.
Being a part of the LinkCrew made me very proud too. Here I can help younger students to find their way in the school, organize events or... The team of so many students working together is amazing.
And there ware so many exciting events at the school: the Homecomming week, the Football Game nights and all the Pep Rallies, I was wisiting the persformances of the Theater Class or the concerts of the Band and Choir, the Monster Concert and Halloween Carnival and the Winter Dance... Even if it was sometimes hard to get school and all the other activities "under a hat", all the experiences were worth it. If possible, I still joined meetings of the Culture Club and made friends with some Excange Students from Germany, that spend the year on my school.
In January our Academie for Global Studies will travel to Thailand. This will be an exciting experience for all of us. We all have never been to Asia, and so this will be a total new adventure.
Finally, I will graduate in May 2023. This is a Main goal and a big point in my life.
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