Recently, seven Gunbarrel/Niwot families participated in a unique "job shadowing" program with students from the Vienna Business School-Hak I (VBS-Hak-I). The program was a direct outgrowth of three years of correspondence between German classes at Niwot High School (see Courier Aug. 97) and the Viennese students. 

In 1995 NHS German teachers Anne Schey and Julie Buck started corresponding with students in Mia Wawra’s English classes at VBS-Hak-I. Over the course of three years the students exchanged opinions on music, education and cultural differences as well as school scarves from Vienna, T-shirts from Niwot and school yearbooks. Two years ago Julie met Mia when Mia came to Colorado for a short visit.

On April 24, 1999 the students got to meet each other up close and personal. Austrian students in the fourth form, or junior year, at the VBS traditionally go on a two week intensive language program. In past years they have gone to London, lived with families and observed various types of jobs. 

This year a group of 44 students accompanied by four faculty members spent two weeks in New York attending classes at C. W. Post on Long Island in the morning and traveling to Manhattan in the afternoon for various projects. For the second week, Mia brought six of these students to Colorado to observe American business practices and experience a bit of American family life.

"What I hoped for," Mia explained, " was for the students to get an insight into American family and business life. I think we succeeded. . . . This week broadened their lives. The job shadowing went well."

Students were matched up with area families who covered a broad spectrum of American business practices. Mick and Debbie Highbarger own Venture Manufacturing, Inc., a precision machine shop in Longmont. Nicolas Ackerl and Ronny Leber saw first hand a number of milling machines and skilled technicians who operate these machines. According to Debbie, "The nicest thing about having the boys here was that everybody in the shop got involved." 

The boys also observed customer care manager Audi Mink at Amrion, a Gunbarrel nutritional supplement company and Samuel Harding at Brinks, which manufactures spray gun equipment for foam, fiber glass and paint. 

Ronny spent several days with Tim and Sheryl Shuminsky attending business meetings related to Den Valk Business Services. According to Tim, "This trip helped Ronny narrow what kind of company he might want to work for. It helped him bring together the theories he’s learning in school and the every day practicalities of running a business." Sheryl added that Ronny really saw the differences in management styles needed to run a large business as compared to running a small one.

Christine and Richard Wren hosted Nicole Martinot. Besides spending a day with Christine in her English As A Second Language class at Columbine Elementary School, Nicole shadowed Selene Hall of Community First Bank. "During our week of job shadowing," Selene said, "Nicole received a sampling of entrepreneurial America. She met owners of many small businesses in Niwot, Lyons and Longmont. From banking and newspapers to restaurants and antique stores, she learned about the difficulties and joys of running a business. Nicole was pleased to find the people so friendly and easy to talk to. She was convinced she would like to come to America to work." 

Monika Muller and Linda Benesch, who stayed with Susan and David Edstrom, experienced a broad range of activities. Susan is a purser for United Airlines. The girls toured a 747 and according to Linda, "It is amazing what a flight attendant has to know. It is not just serving meals, but they must know about safety too." They went to Denver with David to see how an American law firm functions and to observe life in court.

They also had the opportunity to attend three different schools with the Edstrom brothers. First they went to classes with 1997 NHS grad John Christian at Metro State College, followed by a day at CU, Boulder with Tim and finally a day at NHS withSteve. 

Monika liked Metro. As she put it, "It was a school without dorms." As for Niwot, she said the biggest difference between classes here and classes in Vienna is the length of time each class lasts. "We have 50 minute classes with a five minute passing period and one 10 minute break." The Austrian students also eat lunch after school at home.

Finally, Wolfgang Oehm who stayed with Karen and Charlie Copperberg, experienced a wide variety of activities at Valleylab. Ernie Gregory, vice president of administration, arranged for Wolfgang to work at jobs in finance, information systems, manufacturing and research and development. 

What surprised Wolfgang the most was how informal American business seems. "I haven’t been to an Austrian company as big as Valleylab," he said, "but everyone [here] is on a first name basis, even with about 1000 employees." To Wolfgang it seemed to be "like a big family." 

Besides going to work the students went shopping in Denver, Boulder and Longmont, and toured Celestial Seasonings. Tim Shuminsky also took Nicholas and Ronny to a Nuggets game. Wolfgang was very impressed with the Leanin’ Tree Museum. 

When asked what was the biggest surprise about American life, the students all agreed it was the closeness of the American family and how friendly everyone is. Nicole said, "Parents in Austria aren’t with their children as much on the weekends. [They are] not as involved with their children’s lives. Austrian life is more strict because of school." 

She went on to say, "I enjoyed this week very much. I learned about people, what they think and how they react. I had a lot to talk about with Selene. We talked about everything." For her, "It was more important to learn about the people." 

Linda was impressed with how well American families work together. She noted that the Edstrom boys helped with the housework. "They washed their own clothes. I don’t do that." She also noted that they didn’t fight either.

Wolfgang summed things up nicely. "There are differences between Austrian and American families. American families have more friends and are more open hearted than Austrians and they seem more tolerant."

As for the impact on the American students, Lindsay Copperberg was very impressed with Wolfgang’s mastery of three languages besides his native German. Morgan Highbarger said Nicholas was very sweet. "I was collecting teddy bears for the Kosovo kids. Nicholas thought that was great. So he bought me a teddy bear." 

Finally, Steve Edstrom said, "There really wasn’t that much difference between us. Being teenagers and being the same age we share the same likes and dislikes in the world."

Learning that despite the many cultural differences people are the same the world over is an important lesson to learn at any age. Perhaps this small attempt at cultural exchange will in some way help create a world that is more tolerant and more understanding. Only time will tell.

Editor’s Note: A special thank you to Niwot High School’s Principal Dr. Mary White. Dr. White welcomed these students into the school during a very difficult time. Amidst all of the rumors which were circulating during the week after the Columbine High School shooting, these students felt welcome. This atmosphere is a direct reflection on the administration and staff of NHS.