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Ludwigshafen, Germany
ince eighth grade, senior Erik Brown has been interested in the German culture - from taking language classes, hosting exchange students and visiting the country. Brown had always wanted to participate in an exchange program, however did not want to miss a year of sports or academics. Taking a gap year to participate in an exchange program resulted in the perfect solution. Next year, Brown plans to attend a high school in Germany and live with a host family. “I think it will allow me to gain a different perspective of education before I go to college,” Brown said. “I also think that it will allow me for a well-needed break between
Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange
American high school and college.” Brown is looking forward to the challenge of being completely immersed in the German culture and hopes to gain fluency in speaking by the end of his experience. He is also looking forward to how the experience of living there for a year will be different from his past visits and hosting. “I’m excited to see how people in Germany live their life. When I was there for a month, I felt like I was constantly doing something and wasn’t observing their lifestyle,” Brown said. “Seeing someone different from American living their life like that, I’m looking forward to.”
Seniors take year abroad to widen horizons W
Colorado Springs, Colo.
hen talking with her parents about potential plans for after high school, participating in a year of service and volunteer work sparked senior Jenna Baldwin’s interest. After an extensive application, interview and visit, Baldwin was accepted by Mennonite Mission Networks Service Adventure Program. During the next year she will live with others in her church community and do volunteer work. Baldwin will spend a year in Colorado Springs, Colo., working with physically and intellectually disabled individuals who have aged out of the school system. “I feel like the program that I’m going to be involved with
and other programs there are all doing really amazing things for their community and they’re all something that I’m really passionate about,” Baldwin said. She is excited to spend the year building new relationships with people, growing in faith and seeing how the experience will change her overall. Baldwin believes the gap year will help her become a better leader and help her better handle problems that might arise in the workplace. “The work that I’m going to be doing will be hard but it will definitely prepare me for what I will eventually experience,” Baldwin said.
24 | FEATURES | MAY 2018
Mennonite Mission Network