Category: Different Countries – Different Sports

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What it is like to host a German exchange student?

There have been lot of times that my friends’ children have stayed with us but it is for the first time that we had a child from another country with different language, culture and of course taste, stay as a family member for a fortnight. The entire experience of hosting an adolescent child from a completely alien setup was an interesting and enlightening one. Our german guest child Val is disciplined, amiable frank , courteous , adjusting and inquisitive. He was interested in knowing our way of life and adventurous enough to taste variety of Indian dishes and of course logic behind doing certain things the way we do !!!

The German exchange Partner welcomed by his Indian friend

15 days passed very smoothly and it was indeed great to have him stay with us. We had our apprehensions around our ability to be a good host in accordance with the traditions of Indian culture of treating ‘guest equivalent to God’; but I am happy to say that Val is a nice person and cooperated all the way of being a wonderful guest and has indeed become part of our family for life!

Here, I sincerely compliment the stellar work done by the teachers in managing the exchange program intricacies meticulously. Partner selections were near to perfect as their interests matched and there is not a single dull moment – the theme of sports added lot of energy and action to the entire program. Continuous guidance from organising teachers in managing multi-faceted activities, programs and excursions was a big comfort for us and gave a sense of assurance around children getting holistic benefit from program and developing into a responsible and learned global citizen.

BR, Babita

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Day 10 – An exhilarating weekend!!

Exchange Students
Happy exchange students

This Sunday was the most enjoyable moment of the German exchange. On this Sunday for lunch me and my partner had lunch at a lovely restaurant called smoke house deli where we had lip smacking food and mocktails and had delicious ice cream. Afterwards we met the others at Delhi haat where we spent the evening buying exquisite Indian handicrafts!!!

Though the day was a bit exhausting but it was worth the time………?

By: Esha Gahlot 

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Happy Diwali 2017

Unfortunately we are not in India during the 2017 Diwali celebration due to our departure to Noida which is not until October 27th. But all our good wishes travel ahead and therefore we wish you and all your families a happy Diwali!

[Zeige Vorschaubilder]

What is Diwali?

According to the Ramayana, the book about the life of Lord Rama, people lit a line of oil lamps to lighten the way of King Rama, his beloved wive Sita, and his brother Lakshmana. All three returned from 14 year long exile and could only find home due to the little diyas the people prepared for them.

To celebrate this story the people still put lights in their windows, the corners of their apartment and decorate their whole house with blossoms and even more lights. To celebrate that four day lasting festival you even burst crackers, perform pujas and visit family members. 

Whoever gets the chance to come to India during Diwali should embrace the opportunity and happily enjoy the sounds, colours and smells. 

How about you?

But everybody celebrates Diwali differently. What are your family traditions? Tell us in the comment section!

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Feedback – What was it like to host an Indian guest?

Indian students in Germany
Indian students on the Johannes-Turmair school ground.

Whoever has ever hosted an exchange student before knows how stressful such a project can be. So, what was it really like to have an Indian in your house?

We asked some of the German parents about their experiences with students of LVIS: “What impressions left the excange project on you or your child?”

Here are some of their answers:

  • “Die Welt ist sehr verschieden” (The world is very diverse)
  • “Ein bischen anstrengend, aber es war definitv machbar und eine tolle Zeit, die wir nie bereuen werden!” (A little bit exausting, but definitly possible to manage and it was a great time we will never miss)
  • “It was a great time because I learnt about India, too. We didn’t have any problems with the exchange partner and we were sad when he left.”
  • “The culture of the Indian people is very interesting”
  • “It was interesting to host a foreign teenager from India. Everybody  was really friendly and open. It was also nice to get in contact with the Indian parents on skype. We also learned a lot about the Indian cuisine and the  indian way of  life.”

We are curious about your honest feedback. Have you ever hosted a foreign student? What was it like? Tell us your story in the comment section!

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New article about our exchange has been published

Die inklusive interkulturelle Basketballmannschaft
Screenshot of the homepage article.

On day four of our exchange all the Indian and German students played Basketball with students of St. Wolfgang school (school for students with special needs). This school has now published an article (only in German) on its website describing this match .

In the article they mention all the school names, the teachers and thank all participates for the great afternoon at Johannes-Turmair-Gymnasium.

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Day 14 – Not a „Farewell“ – Just a „See you soon“

The last day in Germany! All students, parents and teachers gather once more to give the exchange an official ending. It is time to say farewell; but luckily the students will see each other again in October. That’s why you can see a lot of smiles; only sometimes you get a glimpse of a tear running down a student’s face.
The weather is just nice, when all family members of our exchange project arrive at Karmeliten restaurant in Straubing. Most of them are dressed in traditional clothes. Indian or Bavarian? That difference doesn’t bother any more. Even at the table teenagers and adults of both countries sit in a mixed way next to each other and chat about their last adventures. Mr Wolfgang Poeschl, teacher of Johannes-Turmair-Gymnasium and project leader on German side, welcomes all guests and invites them to start with the official dinner. Indian curry, Bavarian dumplings and pasta – even the food is multicultural this day.

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In the official speeches, the teachers thank the parents for their patience and love, they thank the principals for giving consent to the exchange and of course they congratulated all the students which behaved so well and were great represents of their home countries. All of them get certificates in which every official activity of the project is mentioned. Mr Poeschl also handes over a trophy for Lotus Valley International School. This cup should remind every student of the project “Different country – different sports” which’s German part officially ends with the farewell dinner.
In an now following informal part of the farewell dinner a Bavarian musician plays famous German songs at a hand organ. The German teachers Mrs Wiedemann and Mr Poeschl have to sing along and the laughter is a worthy closure of the evening and the unforgettable stay of our Indian friends in Germany.

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Day 10 – Bavarian Forest got ya

The day started as usual we took a train to the school(which we were almost about to miss today) then ahead we came to school by bus.

Then by bus we travelled to the Bavarian forests for some sports activities and hiking. We all enjoyed the activities a lot. They required a lot of strength and mind to complete. We all tried the different levels of climbing activity and it was really fabulous and worth doing it.

After that we had a small break and then started with our hiking trip. It was really a fun going up the mountain and getting to know a lot about it in various forms like poems, stories, pictures by Mr.Poeschl. He explained in such a good way that we all enjoyed.

Then we came down the mountains and then moved ahead towards a adventure park. The roller coaster rides there were super amazing​. I felt like a bird flying high with no problems on the roller coaster. Really amazing day came to an end after the adventure park. The day was full of ups and downs but its nature of life it continues to go on(nothing serious). It was a memorable day to spend with all and get to know a lot about various things.

Gautam S.