For the tenth year running, our first year students had the chance to take part in the German exchange trip to our twin town Oberursel. For one week our students have the opportunity to get an insight into the life of a German student of the same age and shadow them, to experience their daily routine and participate in a joint cultural excursion.

The students are in touch with their exchange partners, weeks before they meet, so they get to know each other and greeted each other like old friends when they met. 

During their visit, students were able to visit the nearby city of Frankfurt and take part in various activities around the town of Oberursel, including a Youth Forum held at the local library.

Stamatia Mukherjee, Curriculum Manager for German commented “We had so many positive comments on our students’ participation from both the host families and the German teachers.”

Liz Wiley, who accompanied the students said “Your students are the most polite, well behaved and motivated group of young people I have ever had the privilege of accompanying on a trip.  They are not only a credit to the College but also superb ambassadors for their country”.

Tom Hammond a student who took part in the trip “found all the visits interesting and liked the organised nature of the trip and the way we were able to integrate ourselves into the German culture. The trip was helpful for my German A-Level, as I picked up a few conversational German phrases.”

Two, second year students were able to take part in work experience, in careers which they may wish to pursue later, helping to develop key employability skills. The students undertook placements organised by the Magistrate in Oberursel and returned with more confidence in their German language skills, as well as a great sense of achievement. This was an invaluable way to get an insight into the world of work and also an affordable way to gain experience with local companies, as students can stay with their exchange partners from the year before. 

Second year student, Aimee Lawrence, who had a placement at Oberursel Town Hall said “I spoke and was listening to German all the time, which greatly improved my confidence and knowledge of colloquial German. I helped with administration and translated brochures from German to English. The people I met could not have been more welcoming and I am very grateful to have had this opportunity.”

Aimee wrote about her experiences, in German, here.

Sam Flaherty who also took part in work experience in the town, commented “I spent the week at a law firm called Blaschke und Nettelback and was lucky enough to have the opportunity to go to a court in Bad Homburg and witness a court session. I spent the majority of my time studying a case and my German improved immensely. The week was so much fun and I really recommend it.”