German Exchange to Bonn

The half term provided Third- and Fourth-Year students with the exciting opportunity to visit their exchange partners from the Clara-Schumann Gymnasium in Bonn, following a successful visit to Trinity last September. 

The students all stayed with host families, and had a packed itinerary for the week which included sampling life as a German student, by attending lessons at the Clara-Schumann Gymnasium, enjoying the local food and entertainment, as well as more educational sight-seeing and cultural trips. 

Students and their exchange partners visited Cologne for a day trip, visiting EL-DE Haus, the former headquarters of the Gestapo which is now a museum. They climbed the Cologne Cathedral tower, affording them spectacular views over the city before ice-skating at the Lentpark ice rink. 

Another day was spent visiting Aachen by train, which lies close to the borders with the Netherlands and Belgium. Students were given a tour of the old town before having free time to explore the cobbled streets of this historical city, home to the first cathedral in Northern Europe (dating back to 800AD). 

The final day was spent hiking the Drachenfels, an ancient hill formed by rising magma that could not break through to the surface, and cooled, becoming solid underneath. After all the fresh air and exercise, it was only right that thr final stop was at the popular Haribo factory! 

During the day trips, the students spent a lot of time with their exchange partners and host families, who took them for more great days over the weekend. They were able to practice and improve their German language as well as understanding the way life differs and is the same in other countries.

Third Year Thomas said, “On this trip we took part in many activities and visits ranging from day trips to historic cities to ice-skating! My favourite part was the hike up the Drachenfels and the beautiful view over the Rhine at the top.” 

The students also participated in some analogue communication and sent postcards back to teachers at Trinity, who all appreciate the joy of receiving postcards and snail-mail!