KISSIMMEE - Each year Osceola High School sees a new crop of students. Occasionally, there are the few who bravely leave their homelands and travel across the Atlantic to this strange new land of Mickey Mouse and oranges.

This year, five lone desperados have ventured onto Kowboy soil. Tobias Greb, junior, made his first appearance at OHS in August, along with Stephanie Purtschert, junior; Daniela Windsheimer, senior; Josefine Bothe, junior; and Mandee Thalus, junior.

Greb, a native of Bochum, Germany, lives with the Cleffie family and their 18-year-old son, Colin, a '98 OHS graduate. Greb became an exchange student to understand English better and to meet new people. He enjoys photography and volleyball and recently has been practicing with the OHS boys' team. Although his family is thousands of miles away, Greb likes it here so far and doesn't miss home yet.

Purtschert finds that the atmosphere here in America is much different from that of her homeland, Switzerland. Asked about her first impression of OHS, she shrugged and smiled. "There are too many rules here," she laughs. Purtschert finds that the kids in Switzerland are a little more open than those here in America, although everyone has been friendly so far. She has met a few people and is the newest addition to the girls' volleyball team. Along with volleyball, Stephanie enjoys playing tennis and listening to music.

The only senior to join OHS from overseas this year is Daniela Windsheimer of Fuerth, Germany. Although already homesick, she is enjoying America and is excited about meeting new people. she became an exchange student to see America and wanted to learn the language more. In her spare time, Windsheimer likes to play basketball and loves to listen to music.

Although from different parts of the world, Daniela and Stephanie have more in common than being students. The girls live with the same host family.

"The situation is great," say Purtschert and Windsheimer. "It's like having a sister."

"I'm a very serious person," explains Josefine Bothe of Berlin, Germany, "so it is very hard to leave my family and friends for one year."

Bothe, 16, hasn't had a hard time adapting to her new environment but says that some adjustments are difficult. She agrees with Purtschert that OHS students are friendly but does not deny the troubles she is having making new friends. She admits that the transition will take time and is positive that she will meet tons of new people. Bothe is quite a musician, playing guitar, both electric and acoustic, and is a member of the OHS Choraliers under the direction of Greg Carswell.

Thalus, 16, a junior, is also a native of Germany but was unavailable for interview.

These new additions may be tough to spot in these crowded corridors at OHS; after all, "I'M FROM EUROPE!" is not a sign stuck to their foreheads. If you come across Tobias, Stephanie, Daniela, Josefine or Mandee, offer them a "Hallo" and your friendship. Help these "foreigners" make some of the best memories of their lives and, hopefully, memories they will never forget.

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