The first morning of the German exchange program at Victor J. Andrew High School began with something simple yet meaningful: a welcome breakfast. Gathered around tables, students from two continents introduced themselves, traded stories, and took the first steps toward friendships that could last a lifetime.
Thirteen students from the Wolfgang Ernst Gymnasium in Büdingen, Germany — Tinley Park’s sister city — are spending two weeks in the community as part of an international exchange program that has shaped lives on both sides of the Atlantic.
Since 2012, Andrew has partnered with the Büdingen school for this exchange, which has been led since its inception by Erika Lupacchino, German and Spanish teacher and World Language Lead Teacher at Andrew. This is the program’s seventh year.
“This is not a whirlwind tour of 15 cities in 10 days,” Lupacchino said. “Instead, our students live with host families, immersing themselves in daily life and culture. They return home with a stronger sense of self and a fresh perspective on their own lives in Tinley Park.”
The itinerary blends cultural immersion with Chicago-area sightseeing. Willis Tower, the Museum of Science and Industry, Lincoln Park Zoo, and the Chicago History Museum are on the schedule. Closer to home, the exchange includes school shadow days, outdoor adventure activities, a ceramic painting project, and a potluck dinner.
Students like Melina Knaf say the draw is as much about everyday interactions as the big city skyline.
“I am most looking forward to learning how life is different between Germany and America,” Knaf said. “Büdingen is a small town and our school has only about 1,000 students. I cannot wait to see Chicago.”
Her classmate Juliane Mordier said the warm welcome has already left a mark.
“Here in America, people are much nicer,” Mordier said. “Everyone says hi and talks to you.”
Lupacchino said that kind of cultural connection is what makes the program so meaningful.
“The connections these students make with one another are like no others,” she said. “The field trips are exciting, but more importantly, the immersion experience and the efforts to make themselves understood will last a lifetime. Their communication skills are really put to the test. That’s where the real learning takes place.”
While in Tinley Park, German students are paired with 11 Andrew students. They attend classes at Andrew, located at 9001 W. 171st St., and will also make presentations about German culture and daily life to all world language students.
The exchange runs in both directions.
Each summer, Andrew students travel to Germany, where they reconnect with their partners, attend school, and take part in cultural excursions. Lupacchino said it is not unusual for student pairs to maintain friendships — and even visit one another — well beyond high school.
“This unique program opens doors to global thinking, strengthens German skills, and deepens cultural understanding,” she said. “Students return home with a sense of independence, self-confidence, new perspectives, and lifelong friendships.”
For Lupacchino, the effort is personal.
“When I was in high school, I was fortunate enough to travel abroad — and it completely changed my life,” she said. “Those experiences, living with host families and learning under the guidance of incredible teachers and professors, were invaluable in shaping who I am today. Because of that, I feel a deep responsibility to give back and help provide similar opportunities for my students.”
She added that watching students grow through the exchange remains the most rewarding part.
“I am so proud to watch them face challenges abroad, grow through those experiences, and come back as more confident, independent, and empathetic young people,” Lupacchino said. “I do this because someone once did it for me — and it truly changed my life in the most positive and lasting ways.”
