Schule auf Deutschland is a familiar concept for Andrea LaCassie, junior, who recently transferred from Frankfurt International School in Germany. However, while most new students come from other public or private schools and some from home-school education, LaCassie arrived from across the seas to start a new school year at WCA. Up until August, she had been living in Germany for four years.

Because LaCassie has experienced both countries, she has been able to compare and contrast what life is like for kids in Germany versus the United States.

“In Germany, kids are raised with much more independence. Because it is very safe there, they start taking the U-bahn, which is a train/subway, when they are five years old.” LaCassie also shared that Germans “are very concerned about their environment.?

Speaking about school, LaCassie said that breaks in the two countries are different. “In Germany, we had vacations throughout the school year instead of just having a long summer.” However, she says that both schools are alike in their academic rigor.

Going from the United States to Germany and back again has given LaCassie the opportunity to visit over eleven countries.

My family got to explore many different places and see many different countries such as France, Italy, Spain, Dubai, Croatia, Borneo, Austria, Switzerland, Russia, Greece, England, etc.”

In addition to moving to the U.S. after such a length of time in Germany, LaCassie has had to adjust to switching schools junior year.

“I had so many friends and many amazing experiences there, and here I’m starting over again. It’s not easy to be able to build these relationships…although I have to say people here are very friendly!”

Although she is now being immersed again in American life, LaCassie has retained some of the German language.

“I don’t speak German fluently, but I am able to get by. I would love to continue learning it.”