As a teenager, Lara Valeska Maul spent a year in an American high school.  At first, she had her reservations as to whether she could manage her condition alone, but today she regards that year in the USA as one of her most meaningful. Karin Lange, member of the Diabetes Parents Journal editorial team, wanted to know more about that year abroad.

Lara Valeska Maul is 21 years old and has had type 1 diabetes since she was seven. During her high school year in the USA, she became more independent and developed a sense of responsibility – also in regards to her diabetes. Today, she is studying medicine in Kiel, and is glad that her condition led her in this direction.

Diabetes-Parents-Journal: After 10 years of living with diabetes, you went to the USA for a year. How did this come about?

Lara Valeska Maul: Firstly, I would like to say that having diabetes is no reason for anyone not to spend a year abroad. When I was 15 to 16 years old, I toyed with the idea of spending a year far away from home. I had to consider how I could do it, i.e., how I could trust myself to manage away from my home environment with my condition, especially if I was to only speak English. In addition, I had to cope with my parents’ worrying about their child wanting to spread her wings.

Diabetes-Parents-Journal: How did you prepare for it?

Lara Valeska Maul: Of course, one has to prepare everything thoroughly and in advance. At that time, I was lucky enough to be able to take part in a course conducted by Dr Simone von Sengbusch (University Clinic Schleswig-Holstein), which gave me a feeling of confidence for my departure.

After having found the right organizations, done my driver’s licence, etc, the main problem was how to take all the medications and reserves for the whole time away. The transportation during the whole flight was no problem. All the insulin had to be taken in my hand luggage due to the danger of it freezing in the cargo hold.

As the bulky luggage had to be left unlocked due to security reasons, all the lancets and injections had to be labelled in English with a doctor’s stamp, in case it had to be inspected without my presence. In addition, all the annual routine screenings, such as eye tests and dental examinations, had to be done prior to departure.

Diabetes-Parents-Journal: How did the new classmates react to your having diabetes?

Lara Valeska Maul: As I arrived in my new home, I was surprised to find just how widespread diabetes was. Therefore, many people were quite knowledgeable about it. I knew that the number of people with diabetes was increasing, but I had no idea that so many my age would have it.

I had never wanted to talk about my diabetes much except, of course, to the people closest to me who really needed to know about it. I used to inject myself in the toilets. Also, before going to the US, I had decided not to inject myself in front of others. How would my new friends react? My new friends took it so matter-of-factly and reacted with fascination to, for example, my blood sugar monitor, that is was easy for me to be more open about it.

On the very first day, I introduced myself to the school’s Medical Health Center. The sisters asked me if I needed their help to inject myself before lunch. I turned this offer down, however, as I wanted the challenge of being able to do this myself for that year. 

Diabetes-Parents-Journal: What about the host family?

Lara Valeska Maul: I had already informed my host family about my diabetes. When I was there, I showed them how to use the monitor, and the injection, and what to do in an emergency situation. Fortunately, they were very open, curious and interested in my condition.

Diabetes-Parents-Journal: What did you find most challenging?

Lara Valeska Maul: All exchange students face a typical problem in the USA. The eating culture! Although most of the groceries are well labelled, most exchange students tend to put on weight due to the high fat content.
I tried to counteract this in Arizona by doing more sport. But what sport would be suitable in a desert climate of 30 - 40°C?

I decided to do cross-country running (5 - 10 km), but wasn’t sure whether I, with my diabetes, would be able to do it or should do it at all. My coach allayed all my concerns. He told me of his brother who, with diabetes, did cross-country running in the desert climate with no problems. After this, I felt in good hands.

When one does a lot of sport, one needs more dextrose. One should give some to friends and trainer in times of need. As dextrose was not available in the supermarkets, my parents had to send me regular supplies.

Diabetes-Parents-Journal: What impressed you the most about being away?

Lara Valeska Maul: It is unbelievable just how true the clichés that we see in high school movies are in the USA. There are great courses such as photography using developing rooms, yoga, drama, dance and ‘school spirit weeks’ whereby all the students come to school dressed in a particular theme. The year ends with a large graduation ceremony, where one receives, as a senior, a ‘High School Diploma’.

Diabetes-Parents-Journal: What advice would you give to students wanting to spend a year in the USA?

Lara Valeska Maul: I would highly recommend doing what I did. A year abroad, at that stage of life, is a growing experience. One has to be open, and able to manage one’s diabetes very well. The challenge, that some call the most unforgettable year of their lives, leaves you more independent and gives you a higher sense of responsibility. Exactly this is so important for young people with diabetes.

Everything is possible, even with diabetes. One can reach anything that one wants.