While most students begin the year adapting to a new grade or class, Mia Blaes began her Junior year facing a much bigger adjustment: a whole new country. Mia trekked from Schweich, her small hometown in southwest Germany, to join our PCDS community through the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX), a scholarship program for politically engaged students. “I decided to apply for this because I am very interested in politics,” Mia explained. “I’ve always wanted to go to the U.S, so here I am.”
After nervously waiting for logistics to be sorted out, Mia received her location placement in the beginning of June 2025, obtained a student visa, and was granted a scholarship (CBYX), solidifying her upcoming adventure. Mia explained, “I’m very grateful for Verena Hubertz, she granted me this opportunity because she gifted me the scholarship and for AFS, my exchange organization.” Hubertz is the member of parliament for Mia’s region in Germany. With everything sorted out, Mia boarded her flight to Phoenix, Arizona.
One week later, on August 21, Mia joined the Upper School in Dorrance (the high school assembly hall) for our annual first morning meeting, marking the start of her American high school experience. Immediately, she noticed differences from her school in Germany: “This school has a big community and it’s more like a big family and it’s very welcoming, very open.” She also pointed out how “you can have a more personal connection to the teachers in the USA,” as she spends most lunches in Ms. Harings’ room, hiding from the heat. She also expressed that class options at PCDS give you freedom to explore your interests, compared to her school in Schweich, which focuses on core subjects.
Academic life isn’t the only new aspect for Mia to explore. Experiencing a new country for a year also presents novel cultural revelations. Mia celebrated her birthday on August 27 and was surprised with a party by her friends. However, to her shock, it wasn’t just her close friends acknowledging her birthday; she noticed other acquaintances started wishing her a happy birthday before her actual birthday. In Germany, she expressed what a faux pas this is: “It means you wish the person the worst luck of all. You wish that their dog dies and their grandma gets in a car accident or something. I was like, how could you say that to me?” Fortunately, this cultural difference was clarified, and Mia enjoyed her birthday while graciously receiving many well-wishes.
Though immersing yourself in a new country is rewarding, it’s not without challenges. Naturally, Mia misses those at home: “I miss my family and, of course, my friends as well, but because I’m included here so much and have very welcoming friends, I feel honored to be here.” She also misses some culinary aspects of Germany, such as traditional German dinner, including bread, jam, and sausage. That’s not to say she hasn’t been open to sampling the food here in the United States. During the interview, Mia tried a hot Cheeto, started to cough, and commented, “Guys, I just saw stars.” Perhaps the combination of processed corn meal and Red Dye 40 isn’t customary in Deutschland.
As we all know, the spice of a hot cheeto isn’t the only kind of heat in Arizona. She says a challenging part of her experience has been adapting to the weather. In Germany, she didn’t bring water to school, but finds that it’s her constant companion in Phoenix.
Fortunately for Mia, the heat can’t beat the wonder of a new experience. She is excited to spend the rest of the academic year with us and looks forward to our temperate winter weather. Though it’s only been a few weeks, she already offers wisdom for future exchange students: “Be as open as possible and take as many opportunities you can…Be open, be friendly, and just make the best of it.” While Mia is a long way from Schweich, we are glad to have her and hope she can find a second home in our community this year.
