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AUSTRIA
Home of high mountains and deep valleys
FIRST
COUNTRY
CHOICE
Austria is famous for its Alpine peaks, green
valleys, gorgeous rivers and forests, fantastic
architecture and a wonderful café culture.
Capital city Vienna, Mozart’s birthplace
Salzburg and ski resort St. Anton are a few
of Europe’s most popular destinations. As an
exchange student in Austria, you can combine
school with fantastic leisure activities.
School
Austrian students go to high school between
the age of 10 & 18 and graduate in the 8th
grade. As an exchange student you will be
in the 6th or 7th grade, depending on your
knowledge of German. The term starts in the
middle of September and you go to school five
or six days a week. From Monday to Friday,
school ends just after lunch and on Saturdays
at about 12 noon. You will study English, German,
mathematics, history, biology, sports,
music, physics, geography, French and Latin.
FAMILY LIFE
Austrians are famous for their ”gemütlichkeit”,
their warm and generous nature. They appreciate
the beauty of their country and spend a
great deal of time hiking and climbing mountains.
Austrians often spend summer vacations
near the lakes of Carinthia and ski the winters
away in Tyrol and Vararlberg. Austria is located
centrally in Europe which makes it easy to visit
the neighbouring countries on weekend trips.
Our host families usually live in small villages
in the countryside, with activities like hiking
and skiing on offer. Horse-riding, sailing, football,
tennis and volleyball are other popular activities.
If you are interested in music, there is
usually the chance to play in a local band. The
choices are endless!
many sts MEETINGS & trips on offer
Distances are short in this country, so use your
time to have a look around. During your year,
STS will organise meetings and trips around
Austria for all exchange students, there is always
something to look forward to!
How about an adventure trip
with rock climbing and canoeing,
or would you rather go on one
of our most popular trips, the
annual STS ski weekend?
”I spent a fantastic year in Salzburg, where my time went
by so quick. A year in a land of yodeling, dirndls and
knickers. I attended a business high school, had a wonderful
family who were so caring and helpful. During
the year I had many opportunties with STS Austria such
as organised welcome and goodbye parties, a ski snowboard
weekend and a weekend to Vienna.”
Anna, Otautau
FIRST
COUNTRY
CHOICE
GERMANY
A country of many faces
Visit and experience some of
Germany's many cities and their
attractions while on exchange in
Germany.
Germany offers wonderful nature, picturesque
villages, elegant cities and charming
Christmas markets.
Germany is a very interesting country situated
in northern Europe, bordered by Denmark in
the north, Poland, and the Czech Republic in
the east, Austria and Switzerland in the south
and Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg in the
west. The landscape of Germany varies greatly
from rather flat areas and beaches (North Sea,
Baltic Sea) to high mountains like the Alps.
School
The high school in Germany runs from September
to June. Classes end at 1 pm, leaving
the afternoon for homework, sports and
other activities. Exchange students will attend
”When I first arrived in Germany, I thought I knew German,
but I learned more in four weeks there than I ever did in
four years at school in New Zealand. I had a very welcoming
host family and very quickly integrated into their
family and German school life. I also had many wonderful
opportunities through my school and family to visit many
different parts of Europe and Germany.”
Michael, Hamilton
a public Gymnasium and are placed in grade
10, 11 or 12. Every Gymnasium decides which
grade the exchange student will attend. Students
usually have to take compulsory classes
such as maths, German, English, social science,
natural science and physical education.
In addition students can choose, among other
subjects like music, arts, computer science etc,
depending on what the school offers. In German
schools students have the opportunity to
learn French, Spanish and Latin.
FAMILY LIFE
Family life is important in Germany. At dinner
time the whole family comes together
for a nice meal and a chance to talk about
the events of the day. At the weekend the
family may visit friends or relatives, go on
an excursion in the car or take a tour on bicycles
together. Going to the theatre or visiting
an exhibition at a museum are other
common weekend activities. Sporting activities
take place after school and in the weekends
and as an exchange student you will
be kept very busy.
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