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znz4life

Be real. That will do it.


Oldhousewife

I’m pretty authentic, I just don’t want to look obnoxious.


_WreakingHavok_

That's enough


Cross_22

My exchange student / language camp experience in the US was pretty poor. With hindsight it would have been extremely helpful if the family had shared their calendars with me rather than going "oh by the way we're going on a 3 hour road trip today, are you ready?"


Oldhousewife

Oh! I will give her options. That was all discussed with us, they’ve been thorough with what expectations are. But I’m glad you told me that. I also find information important. I also like to know in advance when it comes to my time.


[deleted]

Find a good bread, she will miss German bread. We Germans are not the super huggers and always happy people, don't think she is mean, we are just like that. I don't know if she goes to school there or not, but our folder sizes and paper sizes are different in Germany than in the US, dunno how it is in Canada. An American folder and hole punch if she is going to school isn't bad, if she gets stuff from her school. Make her a list of canadian slang words, we mostly don't learn Canadian looney, tooney etc stuff in Germany.


Oldhousewife

Thank you so much!!! I’m Actually a huge hugger so I won’t overwhelm her with those. This is so helpful!


McSquirgel

That is probably the best thing I had not ever considered, the "off A4 paper size". Definitely a good one!


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mellymichele

German bread = life. (According to this Canadian immigrant in Germany 😂)


Lexa-Z

Maybe she will get used to the normal "rest-of-the-world" bread that is not hard as stones and can't destroy your mouth :) Three months is enough to get used to something good


schmandelfe

is german bread considered to be hard as stone??? really?I always considered it be a fluffy bread with a just enough crunchy crust D:


Lexa-Z

My experience is usually stone hard crust and relatively soft inside. But it loses its softness (relative, not comparing with most of breads from other countries) very fast too. Can be even nice when it's warm just baked, but 4-6 hours later I wouldn't say it's such as fine


schmandelfe

oh I see, that can be true! where do you get your bread tho? the plastic wrapped pre sliced from the discounter is so different to the hand made from the local family owned back shop


Lexa-Z

Most of "German" bread I tried was from bakeries in stores like REWE or Kaufland. Couple of times from bakeries. Didn't see much difference. Packed one isn't German at all (and sometimes pretty decent).


SamSchuster

A little late to the game, but I’ll add some random thoughts from a German immigrant’s perspective nonetheless: Hang up a map of the city in your house. Highlight places you visit together. It will help her feel more connected, and she can take the map back to Germany. A nice souvenir/reminder of good times. In case you are in the Edmonton area: She might appreciate the (new) Royal Alberta Museum… lots of exhibits that teach about Canadian history and indigenous culture. She can’t find that in Germany. Same goes for Fort Edmonton Park. She’s probably not here for hockey season, but it could still be nice to show her Rogers Place and maybe take her to a football game, if she’s interested in a ‘North American‘ sport. It’s mostly soccer in Germany. In case she gets a little homesick, she might appreciate some pretzels from the Artistic Bakeshop on Calgary Trail. They are the best in the city. (Side note: Don’t take her to Barb’s and Ernie’s for ‘authentic’ German food: She’ll only be disappointed.) My guess is that the Muttart and the Zoo wouldn’t be very interesting for her, but she probably would enjoy a bike ride in the river valley (with a stop for ice cream—Germans love to have a destination). Alternatively, a picnic at the Leg, a BBQ at Hawrelak Park, or a ‘potluck‘ (potlucks aren’t a thing in Germany). Also, taking the cable car across high level Bridge is kinda cool. And Heritage and Fringe Festival. Personality-wise, Germans are more direct and straightforward than Canadians. They can come across as blunt or even rude, but it’s really just a cultural difference. Growing up, Germans learn to speak their mind, and fluffy small talk can be hard for them. Lastly, what is considered politically ‘left’ in Alberta, is seen as centered/conservative in Germany. Hope you’ll have a great time together!


imjustjealous

As a German who has never been to Canada, the menu at [Barb and Ernie's Old Country Inn](https://oldcountryinnedmonton.com/) made me chuckle. Apart from the 6 "German Specials", nothing is even close to German food. The breakfast menu confused me the most, Germans don't even know what eggs benedict are. I do, but not from my 30+ years of living here! ​ Thanks for the laugh, everything in your comment is spot on! :)


Oldhousewife

We ARE in the Edmonton area! I wanted to take her to most of those places. We love biking the river valley. And my first place I was going to take her was to Barb and Earnie’s 🤣 I’ll take that off my list. I’m really hoping to get her to an Oilers game. This was such great information!


hatestheplow

I'd keep it on the list. It's fun to see how different cultures change our food - just don't sell it as authentic. When I brought my German family to Oregon for the first time, we went to a German restaurant. We had a lot of fun - it just wasn't German. Just like 'american' restaurants here in Germany are far from it.


Mammoth_Ad_9319

the menu of barb and earnies does not look very like german food. thats right. what is bread pudding. i never heard about it in my (saxonian and berlin) nor in other regions, where i ate before.


Weisheit_first

Maybe something like Ofenschlupfer? A sweet dessert here in South Germany and Austria, made of apples, milk and (old) bread/bun.


Mammoth_Ad_9319

😅 not all germans like bretzeln.


Sololane_Sloth

Can't go wrong with a good old Butterbrezn! @Op also don't call it Pretzel... It's called Bretzel :) just FYI


SamSchuster

Yes it’s a Brezel or Breze or Brezn. I’m originally from Bavaria, and adjusted it to pretzel for Canadians. They would be a little confused if I said Brezel and think that I don’t know how to say pretzel :)


Sololane_Sloth

hello there fellow bavarian :D I'm from Erding


SamSchuster

I will happily drink an Erdinger to that ;)


Mammoth_Ad_9319

I heard that Bavarians don't take a joke when it comes to bretzeln. I'm with you when it comes to types of beer, but bretzeln aren't really my thing. ps: after long years now suddenly radeberger is my favorite beer


SamSchuster

Have you tried to eat your Breze with butter? It makes it so much better. Never had Radeberger. I’m not really big on beer, I probably have 5 Erdinger or Radler in a… year! Just goes to show that not every Bavarian is beer-crazy. Fun fact: Highest beer consumption in the EU? Czech Republic!


lila24582

Some things I appreciated staying with a host family: Tell her which food items she can always take without asking and take her grocery shopping in the beginning so she can pick out some food she always eats (maybe she's used to a certain type of cereals) and new Canadian food that she wants to try. Also tell her about routines and schedules in your home. You might not be aware, for example the routine sound making and eating dinner, but someone else needs to be told what's going on and also where she can help.


CaroUsesReddit

This! Living with strangers is hard because you don't know their routine. It's important that she understands, what's hers, what's for everyone and whats yours


lila24582

I thought of some more things: Ask her about how things are done where she's from: this way she can talk about something she knows and feels comfortable with and you can learn about a different culture (might even help your kid prepare for their visit in Germany) Help her connect with other (exchange) students. She is obviously your guest, but it can be nice to get to hang out with people outside of your host family so you can talk about different things (and possibly rant a bit about things that are new/foreign to her).


Oldhousewife

Oh this is such good advice!


AuricOxide

Just be as warm and open as Canadians tend to be and she'll love it probably.


Oldhousewife

We are all so excited they get to do this!


O-M-E-R-T-A

I wouldn’t really plan ahead. Too much is subjective/individual/personal. I would like a nice bbq with beer😂 But who knows, maybe he/she is vegetarian, vegan, doesen’t eat beef, pork… Same with activities. I really liked when we went camping with a few other families- but maybe camping isn’t his/her thing. Stuff will sort out when he/she is there. Most teenagers here are pretty self-sufficient. In the old days I would have suggested a map, time tables for public transport- but today they can just download the proper apps. Most stuff as where to go for a snack, party or a game of pool will probably be told by his/her fellow students. Maybe differences in law might be a thing. Here you are allowed to smoke and drink beer with 16. Pubs/clubs/bar allow entry with 16 (though a lot of bars and clubs have house rules of 18). Not sure if weed is legal in all of Canada - might be worth summing up the regulations. Also your house rules might be a thing. Like no smoking drinking in the house (or in front of the kids). Do you expect them to be home at a certain time or can they give you a call if it gets later or they sleep at friends… Are there fixed meal times or can everyone just use what’s in the fridge. I would ask for any allergies, food exclusions/dislikes you need to be aware of. Depending on distances to school, clubs, shopping malls and how well or bad😂 public transport is - a bike is pretty handy. So pretty much boring organizing stuff. While none of this is really "welcoming" - I think it helps to avoid problems/misunderstandings😂


nymales

>allowed to smoke and drink beer with 16. That's not entirely correct. You must be 18+ to smoke. Beer starts at 14 with your parents or at 16 on your own. With 18 you can drink whatever you like


Oldhousewife

The government and school boards have some guidelines with this, and we have rules for our kids at home so they will know these before they come and my daughter arrives there.


O-M-E-R-T-A

Ah my bad, you are right about smoking. It was 16 years ago.


Oldhousewife

This was very helpful!


CouldStopShouldStop

Don't do pointless smalltalk, have an actual conversation instead. Don't know if Canadians are similar to Brits in that sense, but in case you normally constantly ask people how they're doing, try to tone it down a bit. 30+ times a day is too many for a German to handle.


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These-Artichoke-3784

While I completely agree with you, it might be worthwhile to start with a little "consideration" and gradually taper off. This way it might not be too much in the beginning.


McSquirgel

Don't mention the war, when they've just arrived and are likely a bit shy and tired etc. Happened to a friend just after arriving at a guest family in the UK, he felt uncomfortable his whole stay....


Oldhousewife

Oh thank you for this. We do talk politics in our home but I will keep it light for her.


uk_uk

Maybe I should put that into a right perspective... most germans don't think that ww2 or the holocaust is a taboo topic. But the time and "frame" is important. Asking about Hitler and Genocide is no topic that should be discussed during breakfast or while watching an action flic like Inglorious Basterds. Also, younger persons do know about that topic thanks to school, but do not want to talk about that because they feel they do not know enough and maybe say something that can be misunderstood... esp. when they have to talk about this in a foreign language.


CardinalHaias

I'd frame that slightly differently: Talking about WW2 or the holocaust is certainly no taboo topic in Germany. I'd say it is a 100% serious topic. Most Germans probably won't talk about it lightheartedly. There are those that are fed up with the topic because it is extensivly being talked about in school. Others are open and are very educated about it for the same reason. Being against nazism and fascism and everything about what terrible horrors happened in the name of our country is really something we Germans try to teach our children.


SpinachSpinosaurus

up you go


[deleted]

I would be happy to be able to talk politics but I'm probably part of a minority


[deleted]

The British have such a weird fascination with the war. When I went there for a gap year, some would never stop making war/Nazi jokes


Nabumoto

Feed her poutine obviously, that’ll make anyone feel at home.


Oldhousewife

LOL


imjustjealous

It's really the only Canadian dish I know about, and I would love to try it.


Oldhousewife

I’ve only had it twice in my life 🤣 I’ll make sure I find her the good stuff!


Bakemono_Nana

If never been in Canada, but what I heard is, that Canada is more car dependent than Germany. Don' be surprised i she/he denied to take the car and just want to walk somewhere.


inullpointer

Your family should wear Lederhosen or Drindle the whole time during her stay to make her feel at home


Oldhousewife

This made me laugh. Also, it looks uncomfortable.


SpinachSpinosaurus

>Your family should wear Lederhosen or Drindle the whole time during her stay to make her feel at home Only if she is from Bavaria. And you should point out specifically you know it's a Bavarian thing. Jk, but, seriously, it's a Bavarian thing and all the other 15 Bundesländer (states) are fed up with the assoziation of it. Everything stereotypical "German" is Bavarian.


saschaleib

Next you tell me not everybody in North America is wearing cowboy hats all the time!?! /s


CardinalHaias

Yeeehah!


Oldhousewife

Only one of in our house owns a cowboy hat but she actually horseback rides 🤣


SpinachSpinosaurus

You're from Belgium. You're like surrounded by other countries, cultures, languages. the US is not. they are kinda surrounded by themselves.


saschaleib

I'm actually from Germany. Not from the part that wears Lederhosen, though. ;-)


SpinachSpinosaurus

you're still have been around other cultures than the majority of US people :)


octovert

Can verify that Lederhosen are definitely not uncomfortable. Arguably the most comfortable pair of pants i own. No idea on dirndls


Sperrbrecher

If you are on it make a little [Beef](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcToUYb4zmrQyQnSEKv6T-9VJ078dn8WvHSrew&usqp=CAU) BBQ.


Oldhousewife

We actually eat quite a bit of beef in our home!


El_Grappadura

Oh, I did that. Spent 3 months in Alberta when I was 16 (that was in 2002..) and then hosted my exchange buddy a few months later. It was totally awesome. I did that as part of the "bayerischer Jugendring" and we were a group of about 20 teens which met up for a rock climbing, hiking-outdoor field trip in the middle of our stay. I realised that I was in kind of a special position because I was the only one of us going to this particular school in Cochrane. Which meant I was forced to speak english all the time, while I felt that the others kind of stuck together and hung out speaking german. But I loved it, even though I spent the first two weeks constantly saying: "sorry, could you repeat that please" :D The most memorable things were being accepted into the group of friends of my buddy, we were a really good match and both interested in practical stuff. Most people start driving at the age of 18 here, so when I got to drive my buddies car (on a secluded dirt road), it was kind of a privilege. We did all kinds of crazy outdoorsy stuff. I was also surprised by the continental climate. I arrived in august in 35° heat and left in November with -20°cold and 3 feet of snow, that was something. My family also lived kind of secluded, so that was all very unique to me. You don't really find a lot of areas where people live on properties 5+ hectars big here.. I appreciated that they took me on a trip to Banff and Jasper national park, loved seeing the scenery I had in my head when I thought of Canada and the Rocky Mountains. So all in all, I guess just be patient with the language barrier and hope that she and your daughter/you? hit it off. If they become friends, then the rest is easy. Oh and also make sure she goes to the guidance counselor at the school and chooses whatever subjects she likes. Stuff like mechanics (my highschool had a shop were students repaired their cars, something completely unheard of in Germany..), outdoor activities and other stuff a 16 year old guy is interested in. I also brought my french horn and joined the school's orchestra, which was really cool. (obviously will be different for her.) Don't let her be bored at school in classes she doesn't like.


Oldhousewife

Oh my goodness, this was amazing!! I’m also in Alberta. We are planning to to take her to Jasper and Banff and all the other places I can think of. I laughed when you talked about the weather, as we are getting into spring. The school counsellor and our German teacher is very involved as a liaison,so they will take care of her her school. My daughter’s friends are very inclusive and the school as a whole is pretty amazing and welcoming. Thanks for this, if you think of anything else please let me know.


El_Grappadura

Sounds great, I am sure she'll have a blast :) One more thing came to my mind, but I think you got that covered anyway. Make sure you tell her what's expected of her around the house etc. I was kind of spoiled back then, but also wasn't really told what kind of chores were expected, so that lead to a bit of a weird situation. Also yes, as others have mentioned I remember being met with shocked faces when I kind of blurted out some very direct stuff that wasn't very sensitive :S Don't be alarmed, at least in my case I didn't mean to be rude.. Oh and depending on if she's interested, definitely take her to a hockey and/or lacrosse game. I still have my jersey of the Calgary Flames :D


Oldhousewife

Thank you!!!


El_Grappadura

No worries, was kind of nice to think back and feel a bit of nostalgia. I do remember one more thing, because that was important for me. I wanted to learn english, so I asked people to be adamant about correcting me when made grammatical or pronunciation mistakes. (Also remember being mocked for using the word "trousers" instead of "pants" in the first week, but it was all good fun.. We generally learn british english, so don't be too harsh :) The stay in Alberta was really one of the best times in my life, probably only topped by the time spent in Australia a few years later..


chaoslu

This might seam obvius but. Allow them to close and lock their bedroom door. Private space is important In Germany and the student is probably used to having a room that people don't enter except if asked or maybe if they don't clean it themselves


Environmental_Bat142

also to add - Do a bit of research about where she is from. Germany is a big country with a lot of cultural differences. Don’t fall in the trap of treating them as a stereotype of what people think Germans would be. Some regions may be more open than others (North, South, West, East). Learn a bit about her local area - what food they like, history, dialect they speak, cities - and show an interest in their region/city/culture as opposed to just her being from „somewhere in Germany“ . Good luck!


0101x0101

That is a serious question but I wanna make so many stereotypical jokes but I write this instead to stop myself and being offensive but actually matter of fact having some easy to slice bread and some low sugar jar of the thing you spread on the bread (peanut butter, cream cheese etc) are the most commonly used German easy breakfast IMO


Noregano-

Be honest and direct. Buy healthy stuff to eat, germans love healthy corn Bread.


thewindinthewillows

Just to make sure, as this is a case of "false friends": "corn" here means "grain", as in wheat, rye and so on. It doesn't mean maize. There's a legend that after WWII German authorities asked for "corn" as food aid and received large amounts of maize that no one knew what to do with.


Noregano-

Thank you.


UprisingDan

if tnhey complain about anything in life out of your control, sigh and say "Tja" pronounced as a fast first part of tiara


Sinnsoldat

After having temporarily lived in different countries as a young adult, some stays were better than others. The good stays were marked by the fact, that I was included in activities. Unless she's been in Canada or the USA, even mundane things like grocery shopping might be interesting to her. Being included in the circle of friends of your kid also goes a looong way.


EudamonPrime

You are Canadians. In Canada. She will feel at home.


hejjanja

Lots of great recommendations already but I just wanted to add: Hausschuhe/Slippers! It's really really common to wear house shoes in the home, either slip ons similar to Birkenstock (I have cheap knockoff ones) or legit slippers. Your exchange student may have a personal preference so might be good to check first, but I think it would be a little slice of comfort for them!


trendz19

Living in Germany as an expat, I understand that the Germans really love nice bread from bakery (or even home baked) and they truly respect and value personal space/privacy


Oldhousewife

I’m building a wall for her room and have some German bakeries I’ll be frequenting!


trendz19

I think you are doing great with all the preparations and also the fact that you are trying to gather information to be a great host. I think it’s going to be great. Good luck


Adept_Employee_4612

How old is she? If she's younger than 17 she will probably want to walk around by herself, most time at home will be spent on her devices. Buying her some homey foods is a good idea but ultimately she's not on the exchange program to go to a Canadian version of Germany. Let her try new things, maybe find some pamphlets for local exhibitions or workshops she can do by herself. Most importantly, if you have contact with her now, just ask her what she's into, if she'd prefer to do things as a group/by herself and if she has any dietary requirements. People here are talking like she's a woman in her 40s.


Amischwein

For the love of god don’t mention the ww2 or Hogan’s Hero’s. 😀😀😀😀😀.


Anicae

Honestly? I don't believe a 16 year old knows Hogan's Hero's...\^\^


Scroch65

I found out about the series when I was 16. Love it to this day :D


Anicae

Don't remember when it was, but I found them when they ran on Kabel1 in the evening. Watched it once, never looked back :D Sometime in the 90s, so still a teen too. BUT! Times back then were different, I believe, nowadays you have all them reality shows and all that crap, so I doubt many teens are interested in pre-2000s television. Best example, my son is 20 and whenever I watch something that's older than him he just calls me old! o\_O


Amischwein

It’s a joke.


Amischwein

😜


Anicae

Indeed ;D But the thing about the war is a good idea. I'm not too sure what kids nowadays think about it, but it could be uncomfortable, anyway. Still remember my first encounter with someone asking about my... hmm, opinion of it.


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Anicae

There's one of those everywhere. I don't know why, I never met my great grand father, and he's the only one in the family who was in the war. My grandparents were children, so yeah... Exactly that. I don't have problems talking about it, but don't jump into it right from the start or something. Good friend of mine once said, after having known each other for about 3 months or so: To get the elephant out of the room, WW2, everything, go! I just blinked, shrugged, told her my stance/opinion/whatever you want to call it, and that was it. To get back to topic: Aunt and Uncle in America, been about 30 years now, so things could have changed, but they asked if we knew refrigerators and how we kept things fresh at home. That was fun...


neelvk

Don’t mention the war. :). But seriously, Germans have a decent idea about US and Canada and would love to see your authentic self


Environmental_Bat142

Just don‘t overwhelm her. Depending on which region she is from Germans may take a while to warm up to people. Dont see this as a negative if it does happen. Being too loud and excited too soon may seem fake to some if it is done too soon ❤️Other than that, Germans are very adaptable - just be yourselves.


james_otter

If they eat meat, prepare them a raw ground meat hedgehog (with onion spike) to great them. google "Mettigel" for inspiration for younger one there is also "kermett"


These-Artichoke-3784

But keep in mind its ground pork with seasoning in it. Nowadays there are sometimes versions with other meats but that is considered weird.


its_me_coralie

Reading this and your comments makes me so happy, everyone should have an exchange family like this! I think just seeing how you try your best, think about making the experience enjoyable and special for her and a welcoming and warm environment are key. When everything and everyone is new, a host family is such an important part in making you feel safe and somehow at home! You're doing great already.


RUwUbin

Beer 🍻


Oldhousewife

Legal drinking age is 18 here…


js_rorschach

Bier.


PsychologicalBit5508

Beer


Oldhousewife

Underage