I’ve become good friends with several German co-workers. Even among such good friends, they’ve all been shocked (some even horrified) to learn that my children are homeschooled. Perhaps it’s the characteristic German respect for the law, or perhaps the ban is so ingrained across many generations that it’s impossible to recognize the change for good. In any case, we’re all still good friends and I hope my interactions with them have put a more positive light on homeschooling for the small segment of the German population with whom I have frequent interactions!

Along that same train of thought, HSLDA recently published information on an e-Pal program which pairs up US-homeschooled students with ‘e-Pals’ from Germany. The goal is to have a bit of cultural exchange (like traditional pen-pals) with the hope that many young Germans will get to see the benefits of US homeschooling in action. Perhaps over time this can lead to changes in the German laws?

Information about the program can be found at http://www.homeschoolamericainc.org/programs.php There is a small fee to register. Participants do NOT have to know German in order to participate.