Lukas

In the summer of 2022, Lukas, aged 18, had just graduated from high school, in South Germany. Opting for a gap year before college, he sought self-discovery and a change of pace typical of many young Germans. Rather than conventional travel, he was inspired by a friend's positive experience at Camphill Copake, NY, and he decided to embark on an adventure of his own at Camphill Kimberton Hills.

Susie and Lukas at the Kimberton Fair

Here he shares with us his insightful and humorous reflections on the highlights and challenges of his time here.

It is very common to take a gap year in Germany after high school, but not everyone chooses to spend it in a Camphill community. I remember feeling both curious and scared before arriving at the community. Curious because I had planned to study medicine, and I wanted to learn how to care for other people. Scared because I had never experienced living in a community before, and I wondered what it would be like to live together all the time. Overall, I can honestly say that it was a life-changing experience for me, offering me new perspectives. The people in Martin’s house, where I stayed, became like a second family. I remain in touch with everyone and definitely plan to visit again in the future.

Luke and Lucas in the CSA Garden.

However, I’m not going to pretend that diving in a completely new environment was easy, and the first one or two months were challenging. I had to adjust to the rhythm and get to know everyone. I perfectly recall the moment I arrived at Camphill after the ride from the airport. It was quite late in the evening, so it was already dark, and I couldn't see anything outside. I walked into Martin’s house kitchen, and I found 15 people standing around the table! I knew no one, and I tried to play it cool with a ‘Hi everyone, how are you doing?' but I was completely overwhelmed! I had no idea what to do. Then, within one or two weeks, I got to know everyone in the house, and we became great friends.

The relationships I formed in the community were crucial. In Camphill, you spend a lot of time with the same people, so you quickly develop strong bonds. The downside is that if you don’t get along, you have to adjust and deal with it. Luckily for me, whenever I faced challenging moments, I found great support from my housemates and friends in the community.

Inside the house, my most special bond was with Gwen, Dylan and Erin’s daughter who was one and a half when I arrived. She really shaped my experience in a unique way. Workshops in our house were so enjoyable when she was around! She was super lively and funny, and she would even grab her own mini broom to help me sweep the floor! Coming back to Martin's house after a long workshop and having someone happy to see me and engage with me made all the difference. Outside the house, I deeply connected with a group of young German coworkers. We did a lot of things together, both inside and outside the community, like traveling and visiting New York City in our free time. We formed a pretty close and supportive group, and during that time, I can say that my best friends were all at Camphill.

Lukas and a rainbow in Camphill Village Kimberton Hills

Leaving after a year was definitely hard. I had made so many great friends, and built many strong relationships, so leaving them all behind felt strange. I really considered staying for another year, but in the end, I realized that what made the year so enjoyable was all the new experiences, like gardening and working with people with special needs. I still felt the need to learn and experience new things outside the community. It's generally hard to leave places where you've lived, and I guess change is always scary…

Since I've been back, I've been studying medicine, and so far, I'm enjoying it. Camphill taught me to take a deep breath when the rhythm gets intense. I've learned how to better care of my mental health by doing simple things like spending time outdoors or exercising when I feel stressed. It has also given me new perspectives on life. Both of my parents are doctors, and growing up in an academic family, I mostly saw things from a scientific point of view. It was fulfilling to discover new approaches on work, and on humans in general. It changed my view on what living could be like when you share everything. 

Lukas and Martin's house have a monthly call to catch up. Lukas always looks forward to it, and Gwen dresses up in her special outfit to celebrate their great chats.