First Since Hitler

Hermann Nickel, who was four years old when Hitler came to power, is 18 now. Last week, he was bound for New York, on his way to little Union College at Schenectady, where he will study political science and learn about U.S. democracy. He will be the U.S.'s first post-Hitler German exchange student. His two sponsors: the Institute for International Education (TIME, Nov. 4) and the Schenectady Rotary Club, which will pay for his room & board.

Ever since V-E day, Hermann has had his sights set on the U.S. He read all the books he could find in Berlin by American authors (Tom Paine, Walt Whitman, John Dos Passes, Thornton Wilder). Working on the staff of Die Neue Zeitung, American-edited newspaper, he learned to speak fairly fluent English. Finally an Institute official, serving with the American Military Government in Berlin, lined up the big chance for him to study in the U.S.

Though raised under Naziism, young Nickel satisfied the Military Government people that he was no Nazi. Explained Hermann solemnly: "The merit is not my own. I owe my understanding to my parents. If I had had Nazi parents, I would have been a Nazi."

The son of a tobacco merchant, Hermann attended Pastor Niemoeller's Evangelical Church, spent most of the war years in school. After being inducted into an antiaircraft unit with his teachers and entire class, he decided that he was "willing not to fight for Hitler" and soon deserted. Hermann, who thinks the trouble with his countrymen is that they have been educated in "servile obedience," hopes to bring back some of the Schenectady spirit with him.

He is prepared for surprises and for a cool reception. Says he: "I can't imagine what it will be like in America. I've never seen a real peace land. And the ideas Americans must have about German youth!"

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