German Exchange visit to Bonn

Over the February half term, 14 Trinity students from Third to Fifth Year travelled to Bonn for the second leg of this year’s German Exchange programme, visiting students from our partner school, the Clara-Schumann-Gymnasium whom we had hosted in October.

For Fourth Year student Roman, the impact of the trip was clear. “The German exchange school trip is a valuable experience for anyone learning the subject,” he said. “It helps not just the language learning but also fluency and one can gain valuable insights into the culture of Germany.”

A defining feature of the visit was staying with host families. “I think the best part compared to other trips is the fact you stay with a host family,” Roman explained. “While it can be intimidating at first, once you really get to know them, they feel almost like family and by the final day, you feel as if you have become German!”

The programme offered a rich mix of cultural and historical experiences. Students climbed the beautiful Drachenfels, enjoyed ice skating, and explored Cologne, Bonn and Aachen. “From walking up the Drachenfels to buying many Haribo sweets, there is something for everyone to enjoy,” Roman said.

One standout visit was to the House of the History of the Federal Republic of Germany. “It talked a lot about politics and conflict but also you could experience what it would be like to sit in the German parliament at different ages and be voting on decisions,” he reflected.

The group also experienced ice-skating and a German carnival in Bonn. “The atmosphere is truly lovely and the best part, free sweets!” Roman added.

Alongside cultural visits, students spent time in their partner school. “German school is also a novel experience,” he said. “While we didn’t get to experience a full school day, it was still interesting getting to see a different teaching style and learning more about a German classroom.”

Reflecting on the week, Roman concluded: “Overall, I found this trip is an incredible opportunity to learn about a new country and the cultures involved and I found it helped my learning, especially for the GCSE Speaking exam. I would recommend this to any students doing German as a subject.”