Los Banos Rotary Club History
Exchange Student Gives Impressions Of This Country

Peter Steckel, an exchange student from West Germany who is spending a year here with Supervisor and Mrs. Harry Schmidt at Gustine, Tuesday noon gave members of the Los Banos Rotary Club some of his impressions of this country, and told of his own country, their problems, thinking and customs.
Peter is a Senior student in the Gustine High School and will graduate with his class this spring. Back home, however, he will receive no credit for his year of education in this country and will have another year of schooling before graduation there. Of the educational system, Steckel said considerably greater emphasis is placed on mathematics and science there, beginning in the fifth grade and continuing through high school, completion of which represents 13 years of schooling in that country as compared to our own 12 years.

West Germany, he said is now the most advanced country in Europe, thanks largely to the aid that has been supplied by his country, and the freedom with which the people have been able to repair war damage and develop new industry. He said it is the general hope of all Germans that West and East Germany will some day be reunited, but points out there are many, many problems to be solved and much political progress made before such a reunion can be accomplished.

Steckel told of his ambition to see this country and explained how his trip was made possible through the American Youth Service, which this year made it possible for 1,039 students from 39 countries to spend a year in this country, living with host families and for a time becoming a part of an average American family.

He highly praised the program, stating that it provides an exceptional opportunity for the young people of two countries to live together, compare thinking, customs and ideals. His personal experience has been richly rewarding and he will return home with the highest esteem of this country, of Gustine, and especially with the Harry Schmidt family with whom he is making his home.

He was accompanied to the Rotary luncheon by his American "brother," Bill Schmidt, also a senior student in the Gustine High School. The program was presented by chairman W. H. Sloan.

April 4, 1958

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