Wednesday, April 2, 2003
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Wednesday, April 2, 2003 |
Foreign exchange students attend Goethe Institute programTwo Sandy Creek High School foreign exchange students had an unique opportunity to interact with United States and German immigration officials during a panel discussion held at the Goethe Institut Inter Nationes Atlanta. Heinrich Rasche-Schurmann, a foreign exchange student from Germany, and Matt Bufford, who participated in Sandy Creek's foreign exchange program in 2001, attended the event with social studies teacher Marlene Holland. Both students are presently taking international academic elective classes in the social studies department at the school. Among the panelists the students got to meet and question were W. Fred Alexander and Rosemary Langley Melville, both of the United States Department of Homeland Security and Cem Ozdemir, a former member of the German Bundestag and the first Turkish-German to hold a high legislative position. The topic of discussion among the panelists was the impact that the terrorist attacks of 9-11 have had on immigration policies and procedures and their effect on the societies and economies of both countries. The students say being able to attend the discussion and ask questions has helped them gain a better understanding of what both nations are doing to help protect their homelands from future terrorist attacks. "I found it particularly interesting to juxtapose the cultures of Germany and the U.S. to see the similarities and differences in the immigration and security policies," said Bufford. "It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to directly speak with such intelligent and important members of both governments." Rasche-Schurmann echoed Bufford's statements. "It was nice to compare immigration between the USA and my home country, Germany. I learned about the differences in their laws and the ways both nations are attempting to keep out terrorists. An immigrant to Germany was there, a Turk, who could tell us of his experiences with the German relationship. I was able to compare this with my own observations when at home."
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