Marius Trnka is a German foreign exchange student from Wiesbaden. Wiesbaden is a small town just 15 miles from Frankfurt, Germany. “Wiesbaden is like Pueblo, and Frankfurt is like Denver to me,” Marius said. Wiesbaden is a wet, green, and cool city, with temperatures reaching the mid 70’s for their summer. Wiesbaden is only 30 feet above sea level. “It is extremely hard to breath here. Especially during soccer practice!” Marius complained. In Germany, the primary language is German, but it is required that they learn English in school.
Marius attends a school in Frankfurt. In Germany, the schools are much different from here in America. They don’t have as much school spirit asstudents do here at Pueblo West High. When asked about the classes that they have in school Marius explained, “Every day is different. Classes are different, so are the hours that we attend.” Teachers walk from one class to another, while the students stay in one class room.
In Germany, they do not have any school teams. In one school, they have 5th through 13th grade; and there are only 900 students in the school. but students do not drive to school, matter what age they are. “No one drives to school here; mainly because gas is $10 per 4 liters.” That is basically $10 per gallon in America.
When asked about how he likes PWHS, he responded, “It’s good. The students are nice and so are the teachers,” He enjoys having a soccer team that he can play on, and he loves his weight class. “I never had that before,” Marius said. He also likes walking to class and being able to move around throughout the day.
Marius has been in Colorado for about 3 weeks now, and he loves the hot weather here. He said it was a change from the cold, rainy weather that is experienced where he is from. He also exclaimed, “The people here are nice, and they accept me for who I am and [accept] my language.”
Marius is staying with a family of 3, here in Pueblo West. He does not live with a student who attends Pueblo West High, but he finds a way to get around the school with students and the teachers. His host parents are very excited to have them and love his personality. “They’re cute,” Marius laughs, “My house family is very nice and treats me great! I do miss my family and friends though.”
Marius came to Colorado to learn the language and the culture.
Marius is very interesting and funny when you sit down and talk to him, and he feels welcome and appreciated here at PWHS.
