Student: Where exactly are you from?
Erik Reitan: I’m from Green Bay, which is three hours north of Chicago. We are pretty much just known for winter and football.

Student: Why have you taken part in the exchange and have come to Germany?
Erik Reitan: Over the years I have taken part in many school exchanges to Germany, and have made a lot of very close friends here in the area over the years. It’s a great opportunity for me to live in their city. This exchange is also a terrific learning opportunity for me in many ways.

Student: Why do you want to learn German?
Erik Reitan: Germany is a very useful language, and when I was offered to select a foreign language I thought it sounded much crazier than Spanish. So I thought why not learn a crazy language?

Student: What do you expect from your stay in Germany?
Erik Reitan: First of all I want to improve my German. I hope to get a student visa and go back to school. And I would love to stay here for a longer time.

Student: You said you wanted to study in Germany. In which city would you want to study?
Erik Reitan: I would love to be able to stay here in Mainz. I have spent time in many other German cities but I enjoy the fit of Mainz. Also I am tired of moving, I have moved each year within the past five years. I want to study in Mainz so I can stay here.

Student: What are your main life goals?
Erik Reitan: To see more of the world, improve my Spanish, definitely climb a mountain – but an actual mountain- and I see myself better with kids than without, but not now.

Student: Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Erik Reitan: I cannot answer that, but hopefully I still have my hair.

Student: Would you leave the US forever and if yes, where would you like to go?
Erik Reitan: If I can go back and visit the US, then I could also leave the US forever. Besides Germany I would also love to spend more time in Mexico.

Student: If you had the possibility to time travel, which time would you choose?
Erik Reitan: I´m not sure but I think that the time before the end of the Roman Empire would be good, 5^th century. They had a good quality of life.

Student: What are your hobbies?
Erik Reitan: Basically most outdoor activities and sports. Like a typical American I played football all through high school and college. I am also very interested in hand working crafts, such as welding and blacksmithing.

Student: What kind of music do you listen to?
Erik Reitan: Good music. Good music is good music, basically everything except for country. I love Metal old school and modern Hip Hop, electro rap… Some of my favorite bands are Jack White, Method Man, Led Zeppelin, System of a Down and Wu Tang.

Student: What is your opinion of German women, how can you impress them?
Erik Reitan (laughingly): Apparently you need an Instagram…

Student: What is your favorite soccer team in Germany? And why?
Erik Reitan: Dortmund, my old host partner played for their junior team.

Student: What do think of German food? Is there anything you miss here?
Erik Reitan: I love German food, Schnitzel…… but I miss a real burger.

Student: What do you think of the German school system?
Erik Reitan: It’s good, it promotes competition, but also lets students achieve more if they wish to go on to university.

Student: Who did you vote for in the presidential election?
Erik Reitan: I voted for Hillary Clinton. Why? Lesser of two evils…

Student: What would you ask Donald Trump if you had one free question?
Erik Reitan: Oh, I don’t know what I would ask, but I think that he should answer the question in written form. And he should answer the question and not dance around it.

Student: Do you have a gun?
Erik Reitan: In the US I have a gun. My family has a few guns for hunting, but that is very common in my area.

Student: Thank you for this interview.
Erik Reitan: My pleasure.