A long time ago - when I received my Green Card at the American Consulate in Frankfurt I felt that I had struck gold:in that moment I had become a member of the winning team..a dream had come true....I was leaving my old Europe for a bright future with unlimited opportunities ahead of me....I would soon see the Statue of Liberty in New York - my city of choice...
And what a friendly welcome it was....no immigration hassles,no fingerprints, no intimidating questions and no fear of being sent off to prison or of being returned.I didn't have to worry of saying the wrong " lines "....the whole process at Norfolk Harbour took less than five minutes.I had arrived in the country of hope and her can- do attitude.
When I read the blogs of our three brave exchange students who are currently in Belleville,Illinois I am moved because one of them even states in his texts that he is having the best time of his life!( www.jan-in-da-usa.blogspot.com ) So apparantly there are two camps in the US right now: one that fears more 9/11 disasters and its negative consequences while the other continues to inspire and to attract.
When our Paderborn delegation arrives in our sister city on October 12 I know that they and their hosts will joyfully celebrate - for my America has been and always will be a welcoming place.
