Germany 2007
Summer 2007 saw the second year of our very successful exchange trip to the Erftgymnasium in Bergheim, near Cologne. The connection was initially set up through our link with Mill Hill School and is becoming increasingly popular amongst our students.
In April this year, a group of ten Y10 Aldercar students flew to Cologne to stay with host families and enjoyed a varied programme of events, ranging from attending lessons in a German school to a visit to an exact German copy of Richard Arkwright’s Cromford factory – even the town is named after the famous Derbyshire industrialist!
We were all given the warmest of welcomes on arrival in Cologne and the students quickly disappeared with their host families. Some of the party had been on the trip in 2006 but, just to make sure everyone felt at home, Peter Clemm (German co-ordinator and Head of English at our partner school) and the parents of the German students laid on a splendid barbeque – even the weather was kind to us.
The fun continued on the following day with a visit to Phantasialand, Germany’s largest theme park, where the students thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Groups soon intermingled and new friendships were made.
The weekend was spent with the host families and students enjoyed a variety of activities including swimming and go-karting.
Monday saw a return to work and the students had an opportunity to experience what everyday school life is like for their German partners. With early morning wake up calls and first lesson starting at quarter to eight, it was a shock for some! Whilst in lessons, students worked on their project – to produce a post, highlighting differences and similarities in everyday life in the two countries.
As we were staying close to one of Europe’s major rivers, we couldn’t miss the opportunity of a boat trip and so we enjoyed an afternoon’s shopping in Düsseldorf and a trip on the Rhine.
Our week was soon over and there were plenty of tears at the airport but the students would soon meet again on the return leg in June. Whilst in England, our partner school was treated to a trip to London with a flight on the London Eye and a guided tour as well as a day in Nottingham. Megazone in Derby was especially popular.
The link has helped students to really see the point of their language studies and established some great friendships. From 2008 the running of the exchange will be taken over by Aldercar and we are looking forward to deepening and extending the partnership.