Abby Nadeau
Community Editor

A chance to live in another country is a once-in-a-life-time opportunity. For two Germany students, living in the United States was a dream come true.

It was through the Youth For Understanding International Exchange (YFU) that Lea Stoffers and Kiraz Demir came to realize their dreams.

The Neruds

Tom Nerud went out to buy a used car and came back with a foreign exchange student.

Most people would laugh at such a thought, but for Michelle and Tom Nerud it was exactly what they were looking for.

Through a number of people the Neruds had heard about YFU and mentioned that they might be interested in hosting.

A YFU representative notified them immediately that they had an opportunity for them. What YFU needed was a ìwelcome familyî to get the student started, but the Neruds wanted more.

ìWe would keep the student until a family could be found, but we knew it would be hard for the student to adjust,î Michelle said, ìso we decided to just keep her.î

ìYep, she was a keeper,î said Tom smiling.

The Neruds and their two children Tori, 15, and Tom III, 14, welcomed Lea Stoffers, 16, into their home on August 29, 2005.

Coming to the United States was something Lea had looked forward to since seventh grade. When the time finally arrived for her to start applying to come to the U.S. Lea started researching.

ìI started to read up on Germany,î Lea said. ìI wanted to be able to answer any questions people asked me about Germany. I even made a trip to Berlin.î

Lea was notified a week and a half before she was leaving that she would be placed in Wyoming, MN.

For Lea making the adjustment from Germany to the U.S. was not as difficult as she expected. In fact, the biggest adjustment has only been in school.

ìIn the U.S. people have the same classes everyday but in Germany we donít,î Lea said. ìWe also do not have lockers. I think it took me 15 minutes to open it the first time!î

Even though Lea is only here for a year, she has taken the time to get involved with several school activities. She just finished the play ìHello Dollyî with Tori, she has learned how to snowboard with Tom III and she stays involved with the International club.

Along with school activities, the Neruds, who are Missouri Synod Lutheran, have involved Lea in their church activities as well.

ìPeople have been really nice to me everywhere Iíve gone,î said Lea, who is the equivalent to a Protestant in the U.S.

The Neruds took Lea to St. Louis, MO to see the arch, they also went to the Renaissance Festival, State Fair, Mall Of America and Moose Lake to see family.

Although Lea misses her friends, family and hobbies there is one thing about Germany that she misses the most.

ìI miss my heavy German bread,î Lea said. ìYour Wonder bread is too fluffy. I donít like eating all the fluff.î

While planning for an extra person in their home, the Neruds thought they had it covered, until the first week of school came along.

ìWe have to fit three teenagers through one bathroom in one hour and everyone is running late,î Tori said.

While the mornings continue to be hectic and the nights get

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