【明報專訊】I am a 17-year-old exchange student from Germany. I now live in Yuen Long with my host family. I like my host family very much though we do not spend a lot of time together. There are around 35 students in each class in my school in Hong Kong, which is not the case in Germany, where a class consists of 28 students at most!

The first week I was in school here, many of my classmates wanted to make friends with me. It seemed as if I were a ''little star'' here. That is not the case in Germany, where an exchange student is just ''another student''. Also, at some school events like the sports day, people would like to be photographed with me or talk to me.

I like new experience so I've tried to join as many events as I can, for example the inter-house basketball competition and the singing contest. I've had so much fun and felt so good to be part of a house or group. I have really enjoyed those events and have been motivated to do new things. My classmates are supportive. For example, they voted me the most popular singer at the singing contest! It made me so happy that I totally forgot my homesickness! It was a great experience because there are no such competitions in Germany!

Hong Kong is a great place to visit because there are many things you can do and many places where you can go shopping! Things are generally cheap and there is much choice. I didn't expect Chinese food to be so good because I never ate much of it, but now I really like it! I am thankful that I have had a chance to be here and meet so many good friends! I hope I can stay in touch with those lovely people after I go back to Germany! This year is unforgettable.

Text: Carolin Stolle (an AFS exchange student from Germany)

■Go to www.afs.hk or call 2802 0383 to know more about AFS.