This past week at my internship has been an enriching experience, with my main duties revolving around culinary classes. We successfully created a delightful dish of Schupfnudelpfanne and Kartoffelpuffer. The children demonstrated great teamwork in preparing these traditional German dishes, and it was truly inspiring to witness their improved skills and the extent of their independence.

In preparation for the upcoming Teacher Appreciation Week, we received a thoughtful gift from our school principal – a special souvenir from Seattle. It’s gestures like these that create a warm, inclusive environment and make the experience even more rewarding.

On Friday, I had the chance to accompany Frau Schöneich to Claremont, assisting some students with their German Advanced Placement (AP) exams. AP exams are college-level exams in the United States that students can take in high school. They allow students to demonstrate their proficiency in a subject, potentially earning them college credit or advanced standing at their university. After a busy day, we treated ourselves to lunch at In-N-Out Burger, a renowned Californian burger chain known for its fresh, quality ingredients and mouth-watering burgers.

Over the weekend, I had a chance to experience a quintessential American pastime – a bonfire at the beach with friends. It was there that I made ‘smores’ for the first time. These sweet treats, made from roasted marshmallows and a layer of chocolate sandwiched between two crackers, were the perfect end to an eventful week.