German Exchange Pupils Make Memories in Memmingen

Fifteen pupils from Upper Remove, along with Mr Ball and Mrs Drew, flew out to Germany during the summer for the final German exchange to the beautiful southern town of Memmingen.

Our pupils were delighted to be reacquainted with their German partners who had stayed with them in Worcester the previous April and to have the opportunity to stay in a German family, experience school life and explore the area as well as practising their German skills.

Many pupils were taken on trips by their host families to cities such as Munich and Ulm as well as Lake Constance, the Alps and theme parks and joined in various sporting activities. A number experienced cycling to school (on the other side of the road) and all enjoyed the fact the school was over by 1.30pm.”

The exchange has been running for over twenty years and was established through the personal friendship of teachers from each school, after one of our teachers had spent a year teaching in Memmingen as part of a cultural exchange programme at the time of the reunification of Germany in 1990. We know that personal and lasting international friendships have developed through the exchange (as with many exchanges) and it is such durable connections that further support the long term educational and social benefits of the experience.

We are grateful to have been able to offer the unparalleled opportunities an exchange brings for as long as we have. That so many of our pupils have made the most of them over the years, with many returning to Memmingen multiple times since, is a great source of gratification for the many staff involved, too.

Evelyn Roberts, (UR), shared her experiences of the trip:

“Our German exchange was a fantastic experience this summer. During the trip, we walked to the beautiful Neuschwanstein Castle, explored the town of Memmingen, visited our partner school and took part in lessons. We also enjoyed the Fischertag and Wallenstein festivals with our host families and spent time experiencing everyday German family life. The exchange gave us the opportunity to practise our German, learn about German culture, make new friends and make memories.”