ABOVE: Thomas Hamlet, left, of Fairmont, has returned after a 10-month school year in Rheinbach, Germany, where he immersed himself in rich German culture, language and academics. Jonas Krist, right, from Germany, has arrived in Fairmont to advance his own studies and abroad experience as a junior at Fairmont High School, while the Hamlet family hosts him. Both students’ opportunities are part of the CIEE Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) program.

FAIRMONT — Two students in Fairmont have had a lot to recount as one, Thomas Hamlet, returned from a school year in Germany, and the other, Jonas Krist, is joining the community from Reilingen, Germany as a junior at Fairmont High School.

Both of their study abroad trips are in conjunction with the CIEE Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) program, which is a rare opportunity for German and American students, allowing a group of select students from each nation to explore and learn in the other.

“It was a fantastic journey,” Hamlet said.

He had a special interest in the country and left for Germany on Aug. 8, 2024, and returned on June 17, 2025. “[It gave me] a well-rounded view of the world.”

But when arriving in a new country, new challenges come. Following the one-month preparation with American peers for experiences with a German school and host family, Hamlet arrived at a ‘gymnasium/gimnasium’ (secondary school in Germany) in Rheinbach, Germany, near Bonn, the former capital of West Germany from 1949 to 1990.

“It was a little difficult, I didn’t know any German,” Hamlet recalled. “It was relatively enjoyable. Their schooling is just much more difficult. There’s a reason the program is an elite program and very difficult to get into. It wasn’t a hugely different academic program. They were just steps ahead of us,” Hamlet said.

Hamlet shared that, in addition to more classes, he spent six hours each day focused on learning the German language.

“It definitely helped a lot,” Hamlet said.

In addition, he recognized notable similarities between German and American people, regarding style of learning, lifestyle, communication and more.

Nearing the end of the school year in Germany, Hamlet shared that he wasn’t totally adapted to the German lifestyle, but as he reflects on the overall trip after returning to Minnesota, he cherishes the academic and cultural experiences he garnered there.

“It was all very elite,” he noted. “I look back and think, ‘Wow, that was difficult, but one-hundred percent worth it.”

Hamlet is eyeing the possibility of advancing his post-secondary studies abroad and pursuing an auto-engineering university program in Germany. He encourages students interested in studying abroad to maintain an excellent academic performance and recommends taking a foreign language class before the trip.

As for Krist, he’s more than happy to be here.

“So far, so good. I like it here. I’m enjoying the American dream,” Krist said with a chuckle.

Krist reported that the schooling at Fairmont High School is going smoothly.

“It’s not too hard, but I do enjoy this,” he said. “It’s very different, but I do well right now. It’s very different from the German educational system. And of course, the language as well. But I think I’m doing good right now.”

He admitted that first adapting to the new setting in the country was exhausting.

“Days are much longer than what I’m used to in Germany. Then, all the new impressions and the language, of course. I’m not used to speaking English.”

Krist shared that he has been speaking English for 10 years. He wanted to study abroad to get involved in more cultures and experiences. He shared that he was very happy the Hamlet family selected and welcomed him into their host home.

Now that Krist has cemented his home in Fairmont for the school year, things are going far more pleasantly for him. He shared that he has made friends, is academically consistent and has joined extracurriculars including the cross country team, debate team and the musical.

While Krist has only gotten his feet in the water amid his academic journey in the United States, he exhibited excitement looking toward the opportunities that are in store.

Hamlet described that he and the rest of his family are happy to have Krist under the same roof.

“We’ve already done the exchanging, hosting of an exchange student before,” Hamlet explained. “It’s interesting, but I think it’s mostly a benefit to our family to have a foreign person in the school or in the house. We get more insight into the world.”