Credit: Marc Zimer

In late August 2025, a group of students from the Lënster Lycée International School (LLIS) in Junglinster, accompanied by teacher Marc Zimer, departed for a three-week exchange programme in the United States.

The students spent the first week in Chicago. Marc Zimer explained: “Their journey is not only about exploring America's culture today, but also about uncovering Luxembourg's historical ties to the city.”

Upon arrival, the group explored Edgewater, a northside neighbourhood of Chicago where many Luxembourgish emigrants settled at the end of the 19th century. Guided by John Holden, President of the Edgewater Historical Society, the students learned how Luxembourg families contributed to the growth of this area. They visited St. Gregory the Great Church, a parish that became a spiritual and cultural anchor for immigrant families, and discovered exhibitions documenting the community's history.

The visit to Edgewater was also connected to the Loyola Project - a research initiative led by history students at Loyola University, who have been documenting the lives and contributions of Luxembourgers in Edgewater. The Lënster Lycée students met Loyola students involved in this work, exchanging perspectives on migration, community and identity.

The programme also included a tour of Loyola University’s lakefront campus, an “inspiring” visit that sparked discussions about academic exchange and the opportunities of studying abroad.

Beyond heritage, the group enjoyed many of Chicago's highlights, noted Mr Zimer: an architectural river cruise, where they marvelled at the Willis Tower, the Tribune Tower, the Wrigley Building and the twin "corn cob" towers of Marina City, along with Trump Tower, Jeanne Gang's Aqua Tower and the John Hancock Center with its iconic X-bracing.

Another highlight was the Shedd Aquarium, opened in 1930 and once the largest indoor aquarium in the world. Famous for its pioneering mix of fresh- and saltwater habitats, the Shedd is now home to more than 30,000 animals, including sharks, penguins, dolphins and beluga whales.

At the Art Institute of Chicago, students stood before masterpieces such as Georges Seurat's A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, Grant Wood's American Gothic, Edward Hopper's Nighthawks, Vincent Van Gogh's Bedroom, Claude Monet's Water Lilies, Pablo Picasso's The Old Guitarist and Marc Chagall's America Windows.

Sports also played a role. The group attended a Major League Baseball (MLB) game between the Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals at Guaranteed Rate Field. The White Sox, one of Chicago's two MLB teams, were founded in 1901 and are beloved on the South Side for their grit, legends such as Shoeless Joe Jackson and Frank Thomas, and their 2005 World Series win.

The week continued with fun at Navy Pier, the challenge of an escape room and an atmospheric jazz concert in Millennium Park. Also on the agenda were selfies at The Bean and a visit to the iconic Buckingham Fountain, one of the largest fountains in the world, symbolising Lake Michigan with its “spectacular” water shows.

After visiting Chicago, the group travelled north to Wisconsin, where they would live with host families, attend local high (secondary) schools and, in the words of Mr Zimer, “continue to build friendships across the Atlantic”.

LLIS student Daria Kalinina also shared her perspective: “I first learned about the cultural exchange programme when American students visited our school in Junglinster. Their presence immediately sparked my interest, and when I discovered there was a chance to join the return exchange trip, I didn't hesitate. Together with my sister and some friends, I signed up for the club, and we were fortunate enough to be chosen for this year's trip.”

Daria described preparation for the journey as “an adventure in itself”, noting: “Over the past months, our group met regularly to discuss travel plans, learn more about American culture and bond with one another. These meetings quickly became moments of friendship and excitement, as we realised we were part of something much bigger than ourselves.”

She continued: “Beyond planning, our school's exchange club worked to raise awareness about Luxembourg's ties to Wisconsin. We organised events at school, joined in cultural activities with other schools and even set up the Luxembourg-Wisconsin Youth Committee (LWYC) - a platform where students from both sides of the Atlantic come together to plan exchanges and strengthen cultural dialogue. Throughout the year, we also connected with our American peers through Zoom calls, which made us feel as though we already knew them before ever setting foot in the US.”

Daria said she felt “especially lucky” to have been elected President of the LWYC committee, which gave her the opportunity “to contribute even more actively”. She noted that other members of the group also took on important roles, for example reaching out to potential sponsors to help support the exchange programme. “Together, all these efforts showed us the importance of teamwork and responsibility,” she said.

“With our documents ready, our bags packed and countless hours of preparation behind us, we were finally ready to embark on the adventure,” Daria said, before reflecting on her first impressions of the United States.

She described visiting the US for the first time as “a dream come true”, noting that at first she was unsure what to expect. However, “from the moment we arrived, everything felt both excitingly new and a little surreal”.

“Chicago made a huge impression right away. The city feels enormous compared to Luxembourg - full of tall skyscrapers, busy streets and energy everywhere. The architecture was stunning, especially during the boat tour, and just walking around downtown felt like stepping into a movie,” she shared.

“Wisconsin, by contrast, gave us a very different experience. In Belgium and La Crosse, we saw how Luxembourgish heritage is still alive more than 100 years after emigrants settled there,” Daria explained. “It was touching to realise how those families carried their traditions across the ocean and built communities that still honour their roots today.”

She described La Crosse - sister city of Junglinster in Luxembourg - as having “a warm, small-town atmosphere, very much a college town”, which reminded her of the American TV show Gilmore Girls - “low-key, friendly and charming”.

Daria also reflected on “everyday experiences” that made the Luxembourgish students “feel like real American teenagers”, notably morning trips to Starbucks, shopping at Target, tasting Crumbl Cookies, grabbing fast food and browsing Hollister and Brandy Melville stores. One highlight was attending a baseball game, where “the atmosphere in the stadium was unlike anything back home”.

“Those little moments - laughing with friends, comparing snacks, cheering at the game or carrying too many shopping bags - made us feel like we weren't just visiting America, but living it. Altogether, my first days in America were a mix of wonder, discovery and fun - and I can already feel this trip will stay with me forever,” Daria concluded.

This trip forms part of a student exchange programme initiated by Marc Zimer. For more information on this initiative, see the Chronicle.lu article: https://chronicle.lu/category/abroad/55426-marc-zimer-discusses-how-student-exchanges-build-bridges-between-us-luxembourg