MARS — A foreign exchange student from Germany has taken root in the American way.

Dominik Rupp, 17, of Wildeck-Hoenebach, a small town located 100 miles northeast of Frankfurt, is attending Mars High School as a senior.

He lives with the Sleigh family of Mars: parents Mike and Anita and their children, Ian, who is a Mars High sophomore, and Mackenzie, who attends Kent State University.

Dominik joined the Boy Scouts in 2009 in Germany. He said he really enjoyed the activities and the emphasis on the outdoors.

“It's just something different,” he said. “It gets you out of the electronic world.”

Dominik said when he chose to be an exchange student, he had hoped to continue with the Scouts in the United States, so he was excited when matched with the Sleigh family. Ian was already involved in Boy Scout Troop 400 in Mars.

“It is not just a hobby or a club,” Dominik said. “It is a big part of my life.”

Dominik said there is also an element of curiosity involved in the Scouts abroad.

The first thing that struck Dominik as he entered American Scouting was the patriotism laced in the program. He said he was a little confused by the attention to the flags to begin and end ceremonies and meetings.

The reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance was foreign to Dominik who said in Germany they don't say anything so patriotic. He said there were other aspects about the structure of the meetings that seemed militaristic.

He said it was just something he had to learn about as he continued to attend meetings, and Ian assisted him by explaining the procedures and other details.

Dominik said he feels like he is fitting in with his fellow troop members,

Ian said, “I get asked all the time if he's coming on the Monday nights, so he's definitely popular.”

Dominik said he doesn't mind all the questions.

“That's why I'm here,” he said. “To show the German side and to learn about the American side.”

Dominik said one thing that is different is the ranking system. He said there are only four Scout ranks in Germany, and German Scout uniforms are less decorated with their accomplishments.

“You don't get as many patches and all of this stuff,” Dominik said, gesturing toward his uniform. “Patches for most of the time are just to show from which group you are from and which camps you were at.”

Ian said he has heard stories from Dominik and feels the German program does a lot more outdoor activities. He said it is something he would like to see change in the American program.

“I've talked with our Scoutmaster, and we're going to try and do more things like what they do with our own twist to it,” Ian said.