In 1985, Beth Shaver (SHHS ’86) decided to take a flyer on an exchange program to Goslar, Germany. Founded in 1978, it’s the oldest-standing exchange program between a U.S. and German school. Every fall, a group of about 20 German students come from the Ratsgymnasium in Goslar to Shaker Heights High School. Shaker students then go to Goslar that summer for a month-long visit. “A friend had an older sister who was involved in the program when I was in junior high,” says Shaver, now a realtor with Keller Williams. “I spent a lot of time with the German students who were visiting and it was so much fun to hang out with them. I took German at the High School just so I could participate in the program.” Something about that experience must have rubbed off on her daughters, Lexi Oswald (SHHS ’10), who is finishing up her studies at Kent State University, and Olivia Oswald (SHHS ’13), a junior at the University of Kentucky. Both participated in the Goslar exchange program during their time at Shaker. “They visited some of the same places I did,” says Shaver, “and we had similar stories.” First impressions Beth: “How old and beautiful the buildings were, the cobblestone streets, people wearing socks with sandals, and how easy it was to get around by train and walking.” Lexi: “I loved the food! Being able to leave school and go into town to the bakery was awesome. I also liked their fashion. I still own a pair of leggings I bought there.” Olivia: “It was my first time in Europe. I went into the trip with no knowledge of what Goslar would look like in person. Its beauty made me fall in love with it.” 46 ShAKerONLINE.COM | SUMMER 2015 Indelible memories Beth: “Taking a train into East Germany. It was 1985, so the wall was still up and it was a little scary. East German guards got on the train to inspect everything, even changing the toilet paper.” Lexi: “Hiking up the Hartz Mountains and seeing Dachau. That experience opened my eyes. I also enjoyed riding the ICE (high-speed) train around Germany. I wish we had something like that in the United States.” Olivia: “Going on bike tours in Berlin and Munich. Another great memory is going to public viewings for the Euro Cup. Germans go crazy for soccer.” how it changed them Beth: “Before I went, I was sort of shy. This trip opened me up and I became more outgoing. Seeing how big the world is, and meeting new people was very exciting.” Lexi: “I was always hesitant to try new things, but now I just go for it. My German definitely improved while I was there, which helped me when I took German my first two years in college. I don’t mind walking long distances anymore; I’d almost almost prefer to walk.” Olivia: “After seeing Germany, I learned that there is a huge world out there with lots of people to meet and cultures to experience. It opened my eyes to the bigger picture and really encouraged me to travel more. I’m going to minor in German so I do have plans to go back.” Seeing peo- hes- definitely I two top: When Beth Shaver (SHHS ’86) participated in the Goslar, Germany exchange program, visiting East Germany was a memorable experience. “We were followed by guards and made to exchange a certain amount of money to spend,” she recalls, despite store shelves being mostly empty. Photo courtesy of Beth Shaver Middle: Olivia Oswald (SHHS ’13, third from right) visited the remains of the Berlin Wall, which was torn down in 1989 – four years after her mother, Beth Shaver, was there. Photo courtesy of Olivia Oswald bottom: Lexi Oswald, (SHHS ’10) considers hiking the Hartz Mountains and visiting Dachau Concentration Camp as her most indelible memories from the Goslar Exchange Program in 2010. Photo courtesy of Lexi Oswald goslar times three
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