by Herr Nutting
Seven McKinnon students are in Germany for a few weeks, living with their host partner and attending school with him/her. This involves two schools in the area surrounding the city of Marburg , about 100km north of Frankfurt. Our seven McKinnon students are part of a group of 35 students – the other students are from North Geelong SC , Oberon HS, Geelong HS and Viewbank College . Here are their comments about their first impressions of Germany and some photos from the first week of the exchange.
In the classes we have to stand up and say „Guten Morgen Herr oder Frau X“. I haven’t had to do that since primary school.
My school is very big, perhaps twice as big as McKinnon, or maybe it just seems big because I don’t know it that well yet, or because it has 3-storey high buildings.
The craziest thing that I’ll have to get used to is driving on the other side of the road. Every time we go through an intersection I’m not sure what’s going to happen.
I have never eaten so much food in my life. The word “satt” (full) has come in pretty handy!
My family are fantastic and have welcomed me into their lives with open arms. - Michelle (McKinnon SC )
The first difference that I noticed was that they are allowed to smoke inside the airport in designated smokers zones. Most of the signs were in English with German as well which was weird. - Luke (McKinnon SC )
My host family feed me well. Only half an hour after we’ve eaten a large meal they ask me: “Are you hungry?” There’s no shortage of meat, cheese and bread in Germany , and I haven’t eaten one green vegetable since I got here. - Josh (McKinnon SC )
Germany is awesome. There are lots of extravagant food like sauerkraut and eggs and lollies. The Germans are extremely friendly. - Stefan (McKinnon SC )
The students catch the bus to school very early in the morning but school finishes around 1 pm or 2 pm . In the classroom the students don’t get in trouble if they are late and they can go where they like in the classroom. The classrooms are small and compact to keep the heat in. - Lewis (McKinnon SC )
I like the variety of bread that you can choose from, and how the families try to help you with everything. - Colin (McKinnon SC )
First impressions last! My first impression was fantastic. My host family, partner and school are all extremely welcoming. Most people here are fun lovers. Just like me!! - Scott (McKinnon SC )
Everything is really cool, the different time zones are weird. I am only just now used to it. - Harley
Snow fights were lots of fun. Good meals for lunch (nice and hot). My host family is cool. - Joseph
When I arrived I was surprised just how much English my people could speak when I needed them to. It was good for my first foreign experience. - David
Things have been very different in Germany . The light switches are huge and everyone drives really fast. Germany is a strange and wonderful place. - Andrew
Everyone thinks it’s cold but it is pretty warm. The buildings are nice. The food is enjoyable. - Leith
Germany has very pretty buildings, houses and scenery. All the buildings are historical and full of culture. Everyone here is very friendly and nice. - Adam
It is cold in Germany . The houses look very old. It’s really cool here, but we get stared at. - Madi
My first impression of Germany is that it is a beautiful, historic and cultural city. All the people are very friendly and welcoming. They treat you like you are one of their own. All the food is beautiful and the landscape is even better! Germany is great! - Nick
The snow was gorgeous! Everyone was having a good time having snow fights. They have a huge lunch and a really small dinner. - Melinda
“Oh my God it’s freezing!” That was my first impression of Germany . Then this “How am I supposed to survive in the cold?” But it’s great here! There are some of the most beautiful buildings and the food is wonderful too! You get over the cold weather. - Sheree
Germany is different. It’s freezing. And everyone stares at you like animals in a zoo. My family is really funky and really nice. And they can’t stop feeding me. - Robert
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| Scott, Stefan, Michelle and Simone talking to a boaring fellow |
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| In the Market Square of Marburg |
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| Luke helping in class with group work about Australia |
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| Michelle in front of the Hundertwasser Haus in Vienna |
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| McKinnon in a Vienna park |
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| Snowball fights in a Vienna park |
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| Aussies running a netball demo with the Germans in P.E. |
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| Helping in class with group work about Australia |
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| Helping in class with group work about Australia |
