Frieda Dörner comes to LHS this school year from Meerbusch, Germany. She said she is excited to play tennis for the school and looks forward to making new memories and experiencing new things in America this year.
Dörner said she has adjusted very well and feels like Lewiston is reasonably similar to Meerbusch. While both offer “small-town friendly vibes,” there are several notable differences.
There is “definitely more public transportation, and we also have more of a downtown area with shops to go to,” she said of Meerbusch. “Everything is mostly within walking distance, which is really nice.”
Although the towns may be similar, their school systems differ.
“It is much more strict in Germany,” she said.
In Germany, electives aren’t really a thing; the curriculum is mostly set with minimal options. Sports are also completely separate from school; and there are more sports clubs rather than school teams, like there are here. However, she appreciates the connection between the students and teachers here.
“They care about having an actual relationship with you, whereas in Germany they are just concerned with the material,” she said. “They are so nice here compared to Germany.”
