By LOUISA WULF / Guest Columnist

My name is Louisa, I am a World Heritage Exchange Student from Germany and I am spending my 11th school year as a foreign exchange student in Alabama, which is the greatest experience I have had so far in my life.

This exchange year has helped me to become more independent, mature, and has given me more self-confidence and more knowledge about other people’s personalities and their cultures.

I am living for this time with Michael, Rebekah and Olivia Parr, who have become more than just a host family to stay with for 10 months. They all are a part of my family. I could never say how much I thank you the Parrs for all the effort they put in for me daily and for the way they love and treat me as a part of their family.

Hosting a student and being an exchange student is not only just about learning about different countries, but also about getting friends and family from around the whole world. I also had the opportunity to attend Pelham High School, which has been a huge part of my year here.

Experiencing American high school was just so much fun — having different events every week, whether it was a football game, baseball games, talent shows, or my soccer games.

At this point, I want to thank all of my teachers and coaches for making this possible for me, the volleyball team and the girls soccer team, and especially Ms. Copes and Ms. Johnson for putting so much effort in helping me getting along at such a big school. I’ll never forget that!

Another big part of my American life was going to church at Community Baptist Church in Maylene. Everyone has been so nice and friendly to me from the beginning on and I had the chance to meet some of the greatest people ever in your community.

Of course, I also want to thank my exchange organization World Heritage, especially my Local Area Representative Brandy Dahlen, for making this whole year possible. This has made a big difference in my and other people’s life and I hope that everyone that wants to become an exchange student will have the opportunity to do it!

If you would like to receive more information about hosting a foreign student, please contact Dahlen at 422-1748 or visit WhHosts.com. You can make a difference in somebody else’s life somewhere else in the world.

Louisa Wulf is a German foreign exchange student living in Pelham.