- Carly Weck

The Furthest Traveler

       Can you see yourself traveling thousands of miles away from home to a different country, where you can barely speak the language? Now imagine doing all this with no one by your side. Pretty scary, huh?
        Seventeen-year-old Swantje, traveled from Southwest Germany, to Homer Alaska for ten weeks this summer, alone. “I came to Alaska to work on the farm at Seaside Farm Campgrounds for Mossy (the owner of the campground). I found out about the farm because I am friends with Mossy’s nephew and sister,” Swantje said. “I also came to America to learn the English language.” On the farm, Swantje answers phones and cleans cabins and rooms for Mossy.
        Like most people, Swantje finds Alaska to be beautiful and loves it. “I like Alaska; the mountains, the sea, and the glaciers. Back at home we don’t have a sea or glaciers like Alaska and the mountains are much smaller where I live,” Swantje said.
        At home, Swantje lives with her parents and attends a high school just like many kids in the United States. “My school is basically like a high school. My school day starts at 8:00a.m and most days end at 4:30p.m,” Swantje said. “When I get home from school I do my homeworks, walk my dog, and then usually do sports.” In her free time Swantje meets up with her friends and just “chills out.”
        Swantje is a very courageous teen for leaving her own country to learn the cultures of another; many teens would never even consider this. Swantje said, “I am probably one of the few teens that would take this trip. Even though it is hard work working on the farm and learning a new language, I hope everything will work out in the end.”