Amelie Rudolph, a 16-year-old exchange student from Germany, is quickly becoming a familiar face at Eastern High School in Washington, D.C. — not in the classroom only, but on the football field, where she plays trumpet with the school’s marching band.
Amelie comes from a small village in northern Bavaria with about 2,000 residents. Back home, she grew up in a musical family, and music has always been part of her life. Now, thanks to an exchange program supported by the U.S. and German governments, she is spending a school year in the U.S., living with host parents Malissa Zimmerman and Andy Shulman on Capitol Hill.
“She fits perfectly here,” said band director Steven Smith, who described Amelie as one of the band’s most dedicated members. “She’s become one of our MVPs.”
Before coming to the U.S., Amelie worked hard to improve her English and went through a long application process. When she learned she would be placed in Washington, D.C., she was thrilled.
At Eastern High School, Amelie joined the marching band right away. While learning the music was easy for her, the band’s high-stepping marching style was something completely new. “It was difficult at first,” she said, “but I really love it now.”
Amelie says students in the U.S. are very welcoming. “People here talk to you right away. They are very friendly,” she said.
Besides school and band practice, she has been exploring Washington, visiting museums, and traveling with her host family. One of her favorite memories so far was attending a college football game in Ohio and watching the famous Ohio State marching band perform.
Even though she still has months left in the U.S., Amelie says this experience has already changed her life. “I’m learning a lot, not just in school, but about people and culture,” she said.
