Junior and German exchange student Fabian Tuscher came to America this year to improve his English skills and get insight into a new social and academic culture.
“You can not experience [the American life] on a vacation here,” Tuscher said.
Tuscher said he can feel the differences in the school system and experiences the high extent of stress.
Although he had 15 classes in Germany and now only has seven, he feels more stress here.
“In Germany it feels less because your activities are outside school and have therefore more free time,” Tuscher said.
He figures that the American school wants to keep students in school for extracurricular activities, so they can have a safe environment for their activities. However, that results in students not having free time outside of school.
“[Marshall] keeps you at school as much as possible,” Tuscher said. “It is quite obvious that the school doesn’t want you to cause problems and don’t do stupid things in your free time.”
However, Tuscher does not want to move here permanently. Coming from a country that emphasizes socialization, he experienced the competitiveness. Tuscher learned the norms of this country, which is in some cases more lenient.
“After a week, I realized that no one raises their hand to talk,” Tuscher said. “You don’t have to raise you hand, just shout out the answer.”
However, Tuscher generally believes that the system is much stricter than the one in Germany. The administration enforces much stricter policies that regulates student’s behavior at school.
“Here the principal is like the king when you do [stuff] you get suspended” Tuscher said.
He also realizes the cultural differences consist of stricter policies such as the dress code.
“[In Germany] you could technically walk in wearing whatever and no one would care unless you are entirely naked,” Tuscher said.
As an exchange student he also felt the intolerance of many people. Tuscher said that he felt the close-mindedness of the american society.
“What bothers me the most is that mostly the first thing I get asked is ‘how do you like the best country of the world?’” Tuscher said.
He believes US patriotism is more dominant here than in Germany. Specifically the American flag is much more embed into everyday life.
“Here are American flags everywhere,” Tuscher said.
Due to having social studies with a focus on the Americas, Tuscher feels that students develop into thinking that American culture is predominant. Tuscher believes that the society’s close mindedness is a result of the education that we receive.
“Here you have social studies limited to US and that maybe results that many think that everything is revolves around the US because you are just studying your own history,” Tuscher said.
He believes that although the Pledge of Allegiance is a nice gesture, at the same time it does not contribute to the society.
”The Pledge of Allegiance is a cute gesture but nothing more,” Tuscher said. “What do [we] even get from participating in it.”
Tuscher had the opportunity to play varsity football which is embedded in the American culture. The Marshall mob spirit at his football games is an irreplaceable part of his American high school experience.
“It is such an American thing. Varsity football and Friday night spirit. You don’t have that in Germany,” Tuscher said.
Tuscher created new bonds in each of his classes which is different compared to Germany where he had one class with whom he had all of his classes.
“You really befriend all 30 classmates in your class and have a strong social cohesion and that is something valuable to have,” Tuscher said.
After having insight into American society, Tuscher thinks that Americans are missing out by not living in Germany.
“The Americans are missing out free colleges, free healthcare, direct democracy and the opportunity to travel within the European Union,” Tuscher said. “Some say they probably don’t need to because they have so many states, but meeting new countries is always something different.”
Junior Fabian Tuscher poses in his uniform before the homecoming game on Oct. 21. “I was really excited to be there and to feel the spirit right before the biggest game of our season,” Tuscher said.