“Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” Everybody who reads this post probably knows these historical words of the late President John F. Kennedy. I like this sentence a lot and recall it often since I moved to the USA last August.

As foreign students, we have an opportunity to do something for our country, to do something for our home. I want to use that opportunity. At Northwest College in northern Wyoming, where I’m studying print- and photojournalism, all international students had the chance to represent their home at the Multicultural Showcase. Students from all over the world cooked, sang, danced, gave interviews, and so did I.

We live in Powell, a small community in northern Wyoming. But, we had between 300 and 400 residents who came and learned a little bit more about people who are living in their home.

Did you ever hear of Currywurst and Obatzda? These are two German meals, although the second one is better known in my home state of Bavaria. Currywurst is a sausage served with a spicy curry sauce and French fries or bread. Obatzda is a cheese paste that is made from cream cheese, Camembert, Bachsteiner, butter, paprika powder, salt and pepper.

OK, neither are low calorie meals. But they taste pretty good! It was the fourth time I made these dishes since I live in Powell and hopefully were an appetizing way for my friends to learn more about Germany. I also made a presentation to show photos and inform about Germany at a European Night, which we organized last semester.

What I learned: Talking about different cultures and eating is a good combination, it creates a relaxed atmosphere. And free food is always an extra motivation to join an event, no matter where you are. One of my professors mentioned that a glass of beer is appropriate with a German meal. I said he’s right. But we have a dry campus and many students are under 21.

So who wants to have a glass of beer with a German meal? You’re more than welcome to enjoy both in Germany and learn more about our country.

All other photos by Marc Lamberger.

See below for more photos of international students participating in the Multicultural Showcase at Northwest College.

Photo credit: Jacqueline Hulse 

Marc Lamberger, 24, is from Munich. He is a participant of the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals (CBYX), a fellowship that brought him to Wyoming. A part-time student at Northwest College, Marc Lamberger has worked and studied as a journalist in Germany. He now works as a young ambassador for CBYX. His assignment is to foster the cultural exchange between Germany and the United States. He is one of 75 German fellows who live in the U.S. for one year, while 75 Americans have the same opportunity in Germany.

Are you interested in studying for a year in Germany? CBYX offers this possibility to 75 people from the United States every year. The scholarship is for people who are between 18 and 24-years-old and have a high school diploma or equivalent. They also should have completed general coursework in a targeted internship field. Previous knowledge of the German language is preferred, but is not required. All participants of CBYX learn at a German language school in the first two months in Germany. More information at www.cbyx.info.