Dan Drummond will experience “a once in a lifetime experience” for a second time next spring. The Boothbay Region High School junior will travel to Germany in April 2016 as part of a cultural exchange program.

Drummond and classmate, Abel Bryer, toured Germany last year as part of the German American Partnership Program. The high school has participated in GAPP since 1989.

The two spent three weeks last spring in Germany. They spent two weeks living with a host family, and one week staying in a Berlin hostel. Now juniors, Drummond and Bryer are planning a return trip next April. They are both eager to learn more about the language and culture they study in school.

For Drummond, traveling to a foreign country and his first experience with air travel were new and exciting adventures.

“I thought it would be a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Drummond said. “I’d never been out of the country. And I thought it would be a really cool experience.”

They learned about the host families’ daily lives, the German culture and food. The three-week trip also improved their German language skills.

“After dinner, we’d talk for about an hour,” Bryer said. “My host father and I would use a Google translator if we had problems.”

Military life was a popular topic between Bryer and his host father. Bryer is considering joining the U.S. Army. His host father spent time in the German army stationed in Canada.

“We talked a lot about his service. He was stationed in Canada and drove an armored vehicle.”

Drummond’s host father spoke English, but he required Drummond to speak German during his visit.

“He wanted me to practice. And it really helped me a lot,” Drummond said.

In 2014, Drummond and Bryer stayed in Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony), one of 16 German states. During their tour, they learned about how German and American cultures were alike and how they differed. One difference is that nearly all bottled water sold has a fizz.

“Everything sparkled. It was like you couldn’t find flat water. It was all like seltzer water,” Bryer said.

The two cultures are similar in that both listen to same music.

“On the radio, it’s all 100 percent American music. That’s all you hear,” Bryer said.

The boys also discovered in Niedersachsen that German teenagers were fascinated with the Chicago Bulls for no apparent reason.

“It’s not like they were big basketball fans, but they all had Chicago Bulls gear on,” Bryer said. “I don’t think they could even name one of the players.”

The two experienced life as German teens. The Americans learned about a major difference in the two educational systems: German teens complete the American equivalent of high school at an earlier age. The Americans also believe German youngsters have more independence.

“They’re treated more like adults than kids,” Drummond said. “They have more say in what they do. They’re on their own more because there is no need to drive. Everything is within walking distance.”

Besides the German culture and food, the two also experienced a part of Germany’s history. In Berlin, they toured the Reichstag, which houses the German legislature. First built in 1894, it was damaged in a 1933 fire. The building was first renovated from 1961-63, and again in 1992.

“The outside still has the old, traditional look, but inside, it’s a completely modern building heated by geothermal power,” Bryer said.

They also had a history lesson. They traveled to where a chain-link fence separated Germany into two countries following World War II.  The students also visited the German Holocaust memorial in Berlin, and a concentration camp. The hosts told the boys visiting the camp would be an unforgettable experience.

“They tried to prepare us for it, but it is something you have to experience yourself,” Drummond said. “It’s a really weird feeling that comes over you while looking at it.”

In 2016, Bryer and Drummond will visit Hamburg, which is Germany’s second largest city. It is a major European port city located on the North Sea.

Over the next year, the students will participate in various GAPP fundraisers. These events raise funds for their trip and for special events for when their German counterparts visit Maine.

GAPP will hold two fundraisers this spring. There will be a benefit fundraiser from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7 at Mel’s Place Pizza in Boothbay Harbor. Mel’s Place Pizza is located at 1 Howard Street.

The Boothbay Region High School GAPP Fund will hold a second fundraiser in May. A picnic and auction will be held at 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 16 in Southport. The local GAPP organization will serve sausages, currywurst, sauerkraut, and a Black Forest Sheet Cake. The picnic will be held at the Southport town office.