Jakob Roth, 25, was a student in the GAPP program and came to Boothbay Region High School in 2007. It was his first time traveling abroad, and a life-changing experience for him, he said.

On Sept. 10, he came back to BRHS to talk to German language students in Mrs. Merrill's class. He told them about life in Germany, including how the school system and citizenship works differently from America's. He told the students where his path has taken him since spending time in our country, and how it has broadened his horizons.

“When I first came, I was listening, I was learning,” Roth said. “I was more shy then. Being here helped me improve my English, and I am satisfied with it now. Boothbay is so friendly and I missed it.”

Roth also said being here has given him a taste for travel. He has since visited Thailand and wants to see more of America once he can afford to travel.

“It's very expensive to travel here,” Roth said. “In Thailand you can live for two or three months on 1,000 euros. But I want to see places like Los Angeles, the Rocky Mountain landscape, Florida. There's so much to do and see here.”

Roth stayed with the Maddocks family in 2007, and Roth said he is very grateful to them.

“They showed me so much. There was a beautiful view off their deck; they took me to Ocean Point and Mount Battie. They taught me it is OK to have questions, to ask for help.”

Roth talked to students about how in the early years of education, usually about sixth grade, you decide how far you are going in school. In America, students are here from 1st grade to 12th and anyone who leaves is considered a “dropout” with no diploma. In Germany, students can graduate at the equivalent of 9th, 10th, or 12th grade.

A “Hauptschule” is a school that goes until 9th grade. According to Roth, it used to be easy to get a good job with a Hauptschule degree, but that has changed and now it is much more difficult. The next tier is a “Realschule,” which is equivalent to 10th grade. The last tier is a “Gymnasium,” which usually prepares students to go on the university.

In Germany, students need to pass a final test called the Abitur to graduate. Also, in America, colleges will let students take whatever courses they want. In Germany, the university controls how many students study each subject.

Students asked questions of Roth, all in German. Tyler Field asked about sports teams, and Roth said he was a huge Patriots fan. He also said American football has become popular in Germany, and there are between 10 and 15 teams who play. He said the German teams are equivalent to minor league teams, and that his favorite are the Hamburg Blue Devils.

He also told students that how, up until 2009, boys were required to serve in the military; or in civil service jobs helping the elderly or infirm, if you could prove leaving for the military would harm your family. This requirement was done away with, and Roth said he “just missed the mark.” Had he been born one year later, he would have had to serve.

Roth explained that no matter what career you pursued in Germany, you would have extensive training. He talked about how in other European Union countries, Germans were known to be some of the best workers due to that training.

Roth described Boothbay as a place to “find your peace and rest.” He will finish university in two or three months, with an internship and bachelor thesis to earn his degree in the equivalent of business administration, with a specialty in mechanics. He hopes to visit many more times in his future travels.