It is 4:15 am, we are already awake for 1.5 hours and we fought our way out of the warm bedsheets to the cold parking lot of the school. To make it clear, we are none of these overexcited teachers, who want to be first at the copy machine! We are Bavarian exchange teachers, who collect a group of exchange students from the Munich airport!
Today is the day! After an 8 hour lasting direct flight our guests arrive at MUC airport. But it still takes some time till we can welcome them. After the arrival the Indians have to show their visa, passports and their invitation letter to Johannes-Turmair-Gymnasium. After that they hopefully will be allowed to enter Europe. The procedure continues whith baggage collect, German customs, last visits of the restrooms and first calls of the Indian parents. Depending on the time and day of the week it can take some hours till a group of young travelers finally arrives at the airport’s lobby. That’s one of many reasons why only two German teachers are waiting to greet the guests from Noida. And who knows, how long they still have to wait?
But as we get closer to Straubing the students talk more and more. Even the participating teachers ask happily about the school, weather and family issues and …
The conversation stops abruptly as the bus enters the parking lot of the Johannes-Turmair-Gymnasium. Nobody is on their seats any more. Noses are pressed against the windows. The parents and the German students are standing at the corner. Some even wear the traditional Bavarian costumes and wave banners and flags. You hear the warm noise of welcome cheers!
The exchange 2017 has started!
Hi,
I am Yagyna Gupta’s mother. Indeed it was a very warm welcome by the German teachers as well as the students. Overwhelmed by the warmth, love and affection with which they were received.
Yagyna was really excited for this trip. This is her first trip alone and I as a mother I have my own worries. It is just 1 day and I have already started missing her. But I am happy, this is an altogether new experience. Her partner Johanna is so caring and affectionate and so are her parents. She is already feeling at home. Johanna wrote such a sweet welcome note for Yagyna that she was overwhelmed by her love and care. I Hope this bond is forever.
Germany is a beautiful country and so are the people. Beautiful lush green countryside and clear blue sky. This is the best time to visit the country. I hope she can take in as much as possible.
I hope she comes back as a more confident and independent child. This is an incredible learning experience for her.
Hi,
looks like you guys had quite a lot of fun starting from the airport.
That’s great!
I’ll also think about participating in the German exchange program .
Thank you ,
Shubhra Singhal
VIII-Shalimar
Fun? Getting up so early is never fun ;-). But you are right. Everything went smoothly and the Germany trip was a success!
I want to go to!
Then do it! Nothing more to add here 😉
hi i am Parth Mansukh from class 8 in lotus valley noida.My opinion about this trip is that it would have been real fun.I would love to go to germany from school for the german exchange as it would be a great experience!!
Glad to hear this. Just continue learning and don’t forget to apply for the exchange then 😉
germany is a beautiful place to visit and so are the people. the children who got to visit germany through the exchange program are very lucky. it must have been a great experience for all students. i am so happy to see people from 2 different countries bonding so well. looking forward to going to germany (hope i am lucky enough)
Hope to see you soon in Germany. But it’s not only luck: So, keep practicing the German language 😉
I think this program would have been very interesting.
The trip would have been very troublesome for teachers and some students but I think most students would have loved the long lasting trip.
If I had gone to this program, I would have loved it.
You can bet: Traveling with 17 students is exhausting for the teachers and beeing on a trip with teachers is always strenuous for the students. But it is worth the efforts. I really hope the Indian students liked their stay in Germany.
The exchange seemed to be a lot of excitement. It must have been a really pleasant experience for all. It seemed that both the German and Indian students were really excited including the teachers and looked forward to their trip.
I only can speak for the teachers. Yes, we enjoy these trips a lot. It is more exhausting than you would belief. But getting to know a new culture, meeting old and new friends and working with students of different countries is such an inspiring adventure. Are you planning to take part in an exchange?
I would definitely love to be a part of this exchange programme.
Hello Devanshi,
glad to read your comment about our exchange. As you know there are more exchanges to come and we need participants who love to explore new cultures and are open minded. So, stay focused, be good at school and perhaps we will see us in Germany soon.
Hi
I am a student of class 7th of LVIS NOIDA. I have heard a lot about this exchange programme from my friends who participated. Everyone told such awesome things about this programme that I am also excited to be a part of it.
Yes devanshi I totally agree with u and I’d love to be a part of German exchange as well ??