St. John’s Northwestern Welcomes Austrian Students for Cultural Exchange
Following SJN students’ visit to Austria, the partner school’s students will experience campus life and Wisconsin culture.
DELAFIELD, Wis. — St. John’s Northwestern (SJN) will welcome students from Austria’s BG/BRG St. Veit/Glan next week, continuing the school’s first cultural exchange program and bringing friendships formed abroad to its Wisconsin campus. Earlier this year, a group of SJN students traveled to Austria to experience life and learning in another country. Now, students from the Austrian partner school will make the return visit, giving SJN students an opportunity to welcome their peers and share their own school, traditions and community.
During their stay, the Austrian students will attend classes, participate in school activities and experience SJN’s boarding school lifestyle. They will also explore local Wisconsin culture while sharing their own experiences and perspectives with the SJN community. The partnership grew from a longstanding friendship and professional connection between Justin Poupart, SJN’s Director of International Partnerships, and Helmar Wurzer, a veteran teacher at the Austrian school. Their shared commitment to international education helped establish what both schools hope will become an annual exchange.
“An exchange like this brings learning to life,” said Mike Fink, President of St. John’s Northwestern. “Sharing a classroom, a meal and everyday experiences gives students an
opportunity to understand one another in ways that go beyond a textbook. We are excited to welcome our Austrian guests and help our young women and men build friendships and perspectives that reach beyond our campus.”
The reciprocal nature of the program allows students to experience both sides of a cultural exchange: adjusting to an unfamiliar environment and helping someone else feel at home. For
SJN students, the return visit offers an opportunity to build on their experiences in Austria while practicing hospitality and leadership.
“This exchange gives our students the opportunity to be both guests and hosts,” said Dr. Tim Crain, social studies instructor at St. John’s Northwestern. “After experiencing life in Austria,
they now get to share their own school and community with the students who welcomed them. That personal connection makes learning about another culture so much more meaningful.”
Through shared classes, conversations and activities, the program encourages students to ask questions, consider different perspectives and discover common interests. The visit marks
another step toward a lasting relationship between the two schools, extending the experience beyond a single trip.
About SJN
St. John’s Northwestern is a safe, structured environment that provides each student a foundation for life with specialized programs that are built with future aspirations in mind. SJN is
a private co-ed college preparatory boarding and day school and is accepting applications for grades 7–12 and post-graduate. Learn more at stjohnsnorthwestern.org.