My name is Bridget Grathwohl, and I am delighted to write this letter as a participant in the 2023 Hans Joohs Exchange Program!

Thanks to the Sister Cities Commission, I have the incredible opportunity to spend the next three months in our sister city, Ulm, Germany. I am living with a host family, interning at local companies, and fully immersing myself in the German way of life. Having been born and raised in New Ulm, surrounded by the German traditions that our city proudly carries on, and always hearing about our Sister City, it has been a surreal experience to finally see the place I have heard so much about.

My host family, Robert and Barbara Scholz have been incredibly welcoming and patient as I adjust to the metric system and Swabian dialect. It is hard to believe I have already been living in Ulm for almost a month.

Soon, my first internship placement in the legal department of a logistics technology company will come to an end. Then, I will be at a public relations/media company, followed by the legal department of Stadt Ulm (City of Ulm).

I am excited to experience interning at a large company, a smaller company, and then a government agency. As a law student, it has been fascinating comparing our justice systems and seeing concepts I study in school applied in the real world.

On May 25, the delegation from New Ulm arrived at Ulm’s Rathaus (City Hall). It was a wonderful welcome, and I was thrilled to see so many familiar faces. Former Hans Joohs alumni also attended the event and shared fond memories of their time in New Ulm.

I have been collecting recommendations for my “Ulm Summer Bucket List.” The top items on my list include climbing the Ulmer Muenster, finding the best sauerkraut in town, and boating down the Danube River on Schwörmontag, a traditional folk festival celebrated on the river each summer.

At the welcome reception, I had the pleasure of meeting Evelyn Zettelmeier, Ulm’s exchange participant who will arrive in New Ulm later this summer. Evelyn and I quickly became friends and have been sharing stories and hidden gems from our hometowns. Just this week, we met up at the Munsterplatz for Eis (ice cream) and explored the city parks along the Danube River. I appreciate her showing me around Ulm, and I am excited to return the favor later this summer in New Ulm.

There are a few cultural differences I have noticed. I grew up in a household where “if you’re not five minutes early, you’re late” was the motto, so I quickly embraced German punctuality. Sonntag (Sunday) is a true day of rest in Germany. Most shops are closed, and locals refrain from doing household chores during the day.

Some neighborhoods even enforce extended quiet hours. Additionally, there seems to be a widely shared commitment to following the rules. I was aware of the German saying ordnung muss sein (there must be order) before I arrived, and from my observations, the saying holds true.

Whether it’s refraining from crossing the street before the pedestrian light is green (regardless of whether there are cars around for miles) or following proper recycling procedures, Germans trust each other to adhere to every procedure.

Every day in Ulm brings new experiences and, of course, new German words to add to my vocabulary. I’m looking forward to learning more about German culture and sharing my experiences with all of you in New Ulm.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen (kind regards),

Bridget Grathwohl