BY ROBERT SANCHEZ
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The Munich Sister City Association of Greater Cincinnati and 11 area students will welcome 15 German students today for a two-week tour of local schools and sights.
Tristate students already are making lists of questions to ask their teen counterparts.
"I really don't know much about them, or how they live," said Jeff Conklin, a sophomore at Oak Hills. "I think it's important to know about these people and understand them. At the same time, we want to show them our lives."
Jeff said he is looking forward to the experience, and knows he will get his chance to visit Germany in return in June.
"I want to find out everything I can," he said. "It's going to be great to see where people spend their time. I want to see as many sights I can."
Students from several Tristate high schools including Lebanon, Wyoming, St. Ursula, Purcell-Marian, Loveland and Sycamore will host the visitors in their homes. The program, which is in its third year, allows Tristate high school students the opportunity to visit Munich for two weeks.
Organizers say it is an enriching experience.
"It's great when the students can really become a part of the culture," said Nancy Erbeck, a member of the student exchange committee. "This is a great way to make friends and learn about these countries in the process.
"We want them to get the best look possible at Cincinnati's families," she said of the Munich delegation. They will visit their hosts' schools, Cincinnati Zoo, the Ohio River, Coney Island, and the Cincinnati City Council.
The visitors will leave the U.S. June 13 and Cincinnati students will be in Munich June 16-30.
