As a neophyte host family, we were extremely apprehensive about opening our home to a German visitor through Schaumburgs Sister Cities program. In fact, I only called for more information and hung up as a host because another host canceled somewhat at the last minute. I went home that night and confessed to Nick thatyet againI had signed us up for something without really thinking through the ramifications.
And in his typical fashion, he only remembered the first few minutes of that conversation. He claims jokingly that since I talk so much he cant remember the really important details. Several weeks later, I forwarded him the host/guest list, and immediately, my office phone rang with rapid-fire questions wanting to know what I had signed us up for now.
In the end our experience with Mathias Schlautktter, a 21-year-old firefighter from the Schaumburg region in Germany, exceeded the mission of our Sister Cities Association, and our experience turned out to be a fabulous two-week break from our routine. Are we exhausted? Yes. Did we spend money out of our own pocket? Yes. Had our friends and family ever heard of this program? No, and they definitely thought our participation was a little strange.
But in the end, was our participation worthwhile? Yes100 percent, yes. Here are our reasons as to why you should consider participating and support this program:
1. See your town, Chicago and the United States in a different light. In the scheme of world history, we sometimes forgot how young our country really is. Case in point: our Schaumburg was only incorporated in 1956. Mathias family home is almost three times as old as our incorporation. Its good to be reminded our history is a small, new part of our worlds history.
2. Break your routine. We both work full-time jobs, and more often that not, thisgo to work; walk the dog; eat dinner; watch TV; sleepis our weekday routine. During Mathias visit, we went out to eat, saw friends, attended football watch parties and remembered that changing the routine up is good for the soul. And the weekends proved just as routine shattering.
3. Be a tourist in your own backyard. From the Chicago Botanical Gardens to the carnival at the Elis Cheesecake factory, we enjoyed everything amazing our city has to offer. Mathias one request: see the skyline of Chicago, and although gloomy weather wrecked our first venture downtown, we made sure he saw our famous skyscrapers.
4. Learn about another culture. We learned how the school system is set up in Germany, the efficient way road repair contacts are handled and other small differences. But we were more often than not reminded at how more alike we are than different. His mother was worried about his arrival since he didnt call upon landing. And just like students everywhere, hes on a tight budget, and songs like the Black Eyed Peas, Ive got a feeling had us all singing along together.
5. Get to know people in your community. Since a majority of our German guests were firefighters, police officers, paramedics, teachers and city employees, it made sense that a majority of our hosts filled these positions as well. Nick and I both walked away with a better sense of appreciation for our civil servants. Sounds cheesy, we know, but the connections we made within our own community are yet one more reason to get involved.
For more information, contact the Sister Cities Association by phone at 847.923.4715, or visit www.ci.schaumburg.il.us/vos.nsf/schaumburg/MJFT-696N2M.
About Us: Were a married couple living in Schaumburg. Nick runs his own law office, www.nickrichardsonlaw.com, and I work in communications promoting eggs.
