I've been to Munich multiple times during the past several decades, but I've never had occasion to visit Amerikahaus. However; I want to describe a very special program they sponsored many years ago, which has had a wonderful impact on my life.
Way back in late 1994 - during the internet's Stone Age - I was at a card store (remember those?). There was a little sign saying something to the effect that if anyone was interested in having a penfriend in another country, they should send their age & interests and the country where they'd like to have a penfriend. Apparently that information had also been provided to institutes in many countries. I sent a letter and said I'd like to have a German (female) penfriend. Meanwhile; a woman my age who lives about 1 1/2 hours from Munich had attended occasional events at Amerikahaus, and they were one of the institutes participating in that program.
A few weeks later, I received a letter from Edith - and we've been very close friends ever since. I've visited her & her family four times and they've visited us three times. Edith & I have very frequent e-mail contact, and I'm also close to her two children (they live in other cities and we also visit them whenever we're in Germany). My life has been impacted significantly by having such a wonderful friend, and I'll always be grateful to Amerikahaus for facilitating this friendship. read more