Spending nearly a year in a foreign country as an exchange student may worry some teenagers while others find it intriguing.
For one local teen, the idea of traveling to a new place and studying while also learning about a different culture and people is an exciting one. This year, Jack Richardson, a rising junior at Warren Central will spend his next 11 months in Warburg, Germany.
Richardson flew to Washington D.C. Thursday to meet the other 49 teenagers in the southeast US who were awarded the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange scholarship. Richardson was taken by surprise when he learned he had been given the scholarship.

“I was very shocked. It took awhile to get used to the idea,” he said.
Jack’s mother, Marian Richardson, had her reservations about the idea of sending her son away for nearly a year.
“To be able to be okay with it, I have to look at it through his eyes. I want him to be able to have a bigger worldview.”
Friday morning, the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs briefed them. Then, they went into the city and were able to visit tourist attractions and meet government officials on Capitol Hill. Sunday, they will depart for Frankfurt, Germany for a three-week language camp at the castle Laasphe that will prepare them for the new culture and teach them the basics of the German language.
“I think the most difficult part will be the cultural shock. I will also miss my family and friends,” he said. The uneasiness he has though, has been completely overtaken by his excitement.
“Europe has always fascinated me. Soccer is their life there and is also a big part of mine. Their culture is very interesting as well.”
On August 17 Jack will meet his host family, the Jacobs. Richardson will return home in June.