THE SUMMER 2012 - Millthorpe School York

GERMAN EXCHANGE
On June 13th a group of Y9 students set off to Germany
in great excitement to visit their German exchange
partners. On the coach to the airport everyone was
chatting noisily about the times when our partners had
come to visit York. Finally when we got off the plane at
Düsseldorf airport, our partners met us and
accompanied us on the coach back to Stadtlohn. We
reached Gescher first and dropped off the people who
lived in this small village, just a few kilometres from
Stadtlohn. When we got off the coach we were taken to
our partner’s houses. The houses were all quite large
with big gardens.
The next day we got up at half six (which felt like half five
because of the time difference) in time to have breakfast
and catch the bus before school. Our first day in school
was very exciting, even if it was hard to understand the
lessons that were being taught! The day went quickly,
and after a bumpy bus ride back home lots of the people
who lived in Gescher met up at a restaurant called Chao
Chao. We ate large pizzas, then all cycled down to a
nearby park. The German bikes were a lot larger than
English ones, so not everyone could ride them. Instead
they had to ride on the back or run alongside! At the
park we played football and ate a kind of ice-lolly that
was very nice.
On Friday we went to a zoo near Gelsenkirchen. We saw
lots of animals, such as hippos, flamingos, polar bears
and gorillas. We went around in small mixed German
and English groups. We took lots of photos and bought
postcards to send back to our families and friends.
Afterwards we went to a shopping centre, which was
fun. That evening we all went to a big barbeque at
Niklas’s house. England was playing Sweden in the
European Cup and it was very exciting. England won! We
all bought food and ate together. Then we watched the
football in the living room. Luckily it was a large room, so
everyone could fit in!
Then it was the weekend, so we had time with our
German families. On Saturday lots of people went to the
Netherlands to a small village and bought presents at the
market. Later with my German exchange partners and
some friends I went go-karting. I was rubbish at it, but
our partners were amazing! Instead of going to the
Netherlands some people went to Cologne (Köln in
German) and put a friendship padlock on the bridge.
Then they took the key home and threw it in the Ouse.
That evening we went for a chocolate fondue at Janna’s
farm. We ate lots of chocolate and played some great
games. Everyone really enjoyed it!
On Sunday everyone went to the Movie Park, a theme
park with lots of good roller-coasters. The braver people
went off on the bigger, scarier rides, but some people
just went on the smaller, slower rides. Towards the end
lots of people went on the big free fall tower. It is the
highest in Europe. Overall most people found this the
best day!
The next day we were back at school. We sat in the
lessons and even read a play out in the English class!
After school we went into Gescher to buy presents for
our family and to see the bells, because that is what it is
famous for. Finally it was the last day. Everyone was
upset because the week had gone so quickly. Once
school had ended we had a barbeque in the school
grounds. It was great fun, and we managed to finally get
a group photo with everyone in it! Eventually when the
coach left lots of people cried and promised that they
would see each other again soon. We arrived back in
York about half eleven, all very tired and wishing we
were still in Germany!
Overall we had had a great time in Germany, and will
hopefully all see our partners in the near future. We plan
to invite them all back over to York at the same time one
half term.
Anna Hooper 9RPM