Exchange student Alex Justel, left, stands with his host parents, Lori and Rick Fischer, and their son, Trevor. The Fischers have two other sons, Cory and Justin.

“It’s a great honor to be here during the election. It’s one of the main reasons why I wanted to come,” he said. “Policy is more aggressive here than in Germany. I can’t decide which guy I support and I’m sure I would choose the wrong one. I just hope the better guy will win; whoever is better for America.”

While a presidential election is certainly exciting, there were other reasons Justel decided to come spend a year in the United States.

“I wanted to improve my English skills, of course, and I also wanted to get to know some new people and a new culture,” he said. “I wanted to experience the American way of life. It was also a way for me to escape from home for a while. I’ve already graduated back in Germany so it’s a way for me to take a break before I begin my studies at university. I’m going to study geosciences. I find earth sciences very interesting.”