In 2010, Daniel was taking German as his language at Crescenta Valley High School. One of the reasons he chose German was his desire to be part of the foreign exchange program that took an extended trip there. His family hosted Benjamin Ruhl, a student from Marsburg, Germany, for two weeks. Bennie and the kids he came over with were absolute delights and they had a great time in the US, and in LA in particular.

The following year, it was time for Daniel to join a group of kids going to stay with the families of the kids who had come here. Mr. and Mrs. Ruhl are both teachers at the world famous Gymnaseum in Marburg which is actually a whole school, not just where you shoot hoops. Although right in the depths of the worst period of his medical ordeal, Daniel gamely followed through and spent two weeks living with the Ruhls and another week travelling through Munich.

He loved the experience and couldn’t wait to go back. He often said that someday he’d like to live there.