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Imke has been here since 7 August while Maria arrived in South Africa in September as exchange students of Youth for Understanding South Africa and will stay until June next year. The programme is a learning experience for both the students and the host families and a fun and exciting way to learn about other cultures and countries. Imke is hosted by the Matthews family of Wemmershoek. "Freddie and Nicolene, and their sons Freddie junior and John, feel like family. I enjoy hanging out with my `brothers' on weekends." She loves South Africa, and its friendly, open people, but finds the weather very changeable. "Here it is either hot or cold. In Germany, when it rains it doesn't necessarily mean it will be cold. But it's wonderful to look up and see such blue skies." The language barrier is one thing that she had to overcome. It took her a little while to get used to Afrikaans medium classes, but with the help of friends she is learning fast. Her classmates in grade 11B are eager to learn German, so now it is a 50/50 chance for both." Adds Maria, "When I arrived I thought I would never learn to speak Afrikaans or adapt to a new family." Hans and Maureen Balie have taken her under their wing, along with their children Ilse and Merlin. "They are like my real family - and I couldn't have asked for better." She is fascinated by the mountainous scenery: "There are no mountains in Denmark, so for me it was the greatest experience ever - it's so beautiful. "The people in Paarl are easy to talk to. They are not afraid to speak their minds and say what they want to." She has been to Cape Town and especially enjoyed visiting the Grand West Casino. "One thing that I want to experience is the car races, or `dice' as you call them." Maria and Imke are planning to come back to South Africa, already their "second home". Says Maria, "I would like to visit in 2010 when the Soccer World Cup hits South Africa, if I can get tickets." |
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