Fifteen-year-old cultural exchange student Sophia Mersch, center, stands with her host parents, Doris and Terry Lindeman, while on vacation.

“It’s not so loud in the evenings. I have four sisters at home, so it’s really quiet here,” she said.

The Lindemans have three grown children: Jennifer, Eric and Ryan, ages 32, 30 and 26, respectively. 
Mersch made the decision to participate in the cultural exchange program between Delphos and its sister city of Verl, Germany, after hearing about America from friends and family.