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German exchange student plays big brother in America
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .Jakob Korenke is an exchange student from Germany. He attends Boardman High School and will return to his native country July 13.
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Neighbors | Submitted.Cameron Rogers (front left), Cynthia Rogers, Caeden Rogers, Jackson Rogers, Vicki Bridge, Jakob Korenke (back left), Roy Bridge and John Rogers spend family time together during the holiday season. Korenke arrived to Boardman Township Aug. 12 and will leave July 13.. .
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Neigbors | Submitted.Germany's Jacob Korenke (left) and Boardman's Cameron Rogers build a snow igloo. Korenke stayed with the Rogers family for one year through the Boardman Rotary Exchange Student Program.
By SHAIYLA HAKEEM
Jakob Korenke always wanted to be the oldest child in his family. The problem was that the 16 year old grew up the youngest of four boys. But when he came to America as a German exchange student in August, he got his wish.
Korenke arrived in Boardman Township from Germany Aug. 12 as a part of the Boardman Rotary Student Exchange Program. “I came here and now I have three younger brothers, but I have to say, I like being the youngest better,” Korenke said.
His host mother, Rotarian Cynthia Rogers, says he has been a great asset to her family. She was hesitant at first about taking on the task as a host family, but once she met Korenke, she could not resist.
“Once Jakob arrived to the States, I texted my husband and asked him if it was OK for us to take him,” she said. “The kids just loved him from the beginning. He fit right in and was treated as if he had always been their brother.”
Korenke is a sophomore at Boardman High School and says his first day of classes was exciting, but nerve racking. Coming from a background where classes were much smaller, it was at overwhelming initially, but he caught on fairly quickly.
“I was a little confused about how much work I had to do for school,” he said. “After a week I then realized that I can do all my work at school and then you don’t have to do anything at home.”
According to Korenke, America is extremely different than his homeland. He says the cars are bigger, the schools are larger and there are many more fast food restaurants.
“Everything is different from language to culture to how people behave,” Korenke said. “It’s really interesting to get to know another way of life.”
Korenke began learning English in third grade. By fifth grade, he began writing essays in English for a school grade. He says everyone in Germany is required to study English in high school.
While at BHS, Korenke joined the cross country and soccer teams. He says he enjoys being a part of a team that is associated with his school. In Germany, there are no high school sports teams.
“You go to school and then in the afternoon you go to private clubs. That’s the only opportunity to do sports; you don’t do it with your school,” Korenke said.
He has also enjoyed watching the NFL, MLB and NBA games, especially the Cleveland Cavaliers. There are no national football or baseball leagues in Germany — soccer is the main sport. He says the World Cup is their version of the Super Bowl and is optimistic about his country dominating the sport.
“Germany is going to win the World Cup this year!” he said.
Korenke will leave his host family July 13 and will travel the U.S. with his family for three weeks before returning to Germany in August. He that visiting the U.S. for a year has been an invaluable experience for him.
“Being here, you learn a lot about yourself and what you want to do in your future and how you want to represent yourself,” Korenke said. “You learn what you want to stand for.”