It´s been one whole week now and everyday is a new experience. I went to Europes largest indoor waterpark on the second day of arrival, I felt really out of place because I was the only one wearing a full piece! I had lots of people staring at me that day and I felt really self-conscious!
The second day was the start of school, We (the Aussies) all had to indroduce ourselves in front of 500 German students, in German. It actually didn´t go too badly, I didn´t go pink and mumble which was a first for me :) By then I was used to most of the Germans students staring at me like I needed to be in a zoo.
The fourth day (Wednesday) was the German Reunification Day which is a day off for everyone. It celebrates the knocking down of the Berlin Wall and the two Germanies reuniting after so many years. All of the exchange students and families had a morning brunch.
The food in Germany is amazing, their main food is served at lunch time and I haven´t had anything I hadn´t liked yet. Thursday and Friday was exhausting! We climbed up to the Rotwandhaus. It was the most beautiful place I have been yet, sheep and lambs were eating on the steep slopes and they had little bells on, it was so cute! We spent overnight in the house and it had just started raining as soon as we got there. I woke up in the morning overlooking the mountain range and I could see the Zugspitze in the distance with a little bit of snow on the top. I took lots of photos from those two days .. about 200 I think .. and I have already changed my camera batteries twice:).
Today I woke up with a sore bottom, legs and shoulders from yesterday and I am walking around like an old woman. Every morning I have been waking up at 6:00am because of the church bells which are right next door. They go every quarter of an hour, half and hour, quarter two and loads of times at the full hour. I´m sort of used to it now though and there is no need for an alarm clock in the morning. I have also noticed how bad my English is getting! So sorry if I spelt anything wrong because I probably did .. !
Tonight is Tini´s birthday party and all of the Aussies are invited:) It will be good!:)
Schüleraustausch zwischen der Wirtschaftsschule Alpenland in Bad Aibling, Bayern, Deutschland und dem P-12 College in Bright, Victoria, Australien: Ein Tagebuch - Exchange between Bright P-12 College in Victoria, Australia and the Business School Alpenland in Bad Aibling, Germany: A diary
2012-10-10
2012-10-09
First Week
Hi everyone, Tom here.
Only a week into the exchange and already so much has happened, and the week has gone so quickly!!! Already we've hiked up a mountain called the Rotwand and stayed in a mountain hut, we've been on a summer luge and to a high ropes course in the trees. Also we've been to a farmers harvest celebartion in the local church. But most recently we went to the lake Cheimsee and the castle Herroncheimsee.
Lake Cheimsee is relatively close to Bad Aibling so i was easy to get there but the weather wasn't in our favor for the day. But the rain didn't take away from the beauty of the castle's indoor decoration. It was amazing, all gold gilded and painted incredibly well and intricately. I would upload some pics but photography of the indoors is prohibited. Over all it was a interesting and enjoyable day. As I said, I've also been to a luge and a high ropes course. Both of these are in the village where Lukas and his family live so they are also easy to get to. I personally enjoyed the luge more than the climbing garden but they were both fun. In the climbing park there is three difficulties and me and Lukas went on the first and second difficulty before we ran out of time. But they were both heaps of fun and also a bit scary because they were a good 10-12 metres of the ground.
The farmers harvest celebration was held in the morning on Sunday. We went at about 10ish but by then it was almost over. Basically it's a way for the farmers to thank god for their good harvests and crops. This year has been particularly favorable for the farmers so the church was packed. It was pretty cool, all the farmers were dressed up in their traditional costumes and the church was decorated something incredible. This only happens once a year so I was pretty lucky to get a look at what happens.
So far I've had so much fun and can't wait to see and experience the rest that is still to come.
Till next Monday, ciao for now.
PS i will post some pics in the next blog
Only a week into the exchange and already so much has happened, and the week has gone so quickly!!! Already we've hiked up a mountain called the Rotwand and stayed in a mountain hut, we've been on a summer luge and to a high ropes course in the trees. Also we've been to a farmers harvest celebartion in the local church. But most recently we went to the lake Cheimsee and the castle Herroncheimsee.
Lake Cheimsee is relatively close to Bad Aibling so i was easy to get there but the weather wasn't in our favor for the day. But the rain didn't take away from the beauty of the castle's indoor decoration. It was amazing, all gold gilded and painted incredibly well and intricately. I would upload some pics but photography of the indoors is prohibited. Over all it was a interesting and enjoyable day. As I said, I've also been to a luge and a high ropes course. Both of these are in the village where Lukas and his family live so they are also easy to get to. I personally enjoyed the luge more than the climbing garden but they were both fun. In the climbing park there is three difficulties and me and Lukas went on the first and second difficulty before we ran out of time. But they were both heaps of fun and also a bit scary because they were a good 10-12 metres of the ground.
The farmers harvest celebration was held in the morning on Sunday. We went at about 10ish but by then it was almost over. Basically it's a way for the farmers to thank god for their good harvests and crops. This year has been particularly favorable for the farmers so the church was packed. It was pretty cool, all the farmers were dressed up in their traditional costumes and the church was decorated something incredible. This only happens once a year so I was pretty lucky to get a look at what happens.
So far I've had so much fun and can't wait to see and experience the rest that is still to come.
Till next Monday, ciao for now.
PS i will post some pics in the next blog
2012-10-07
On the 6/10/2012 the Huber family took me to the Oktoberfest. Before going they explained to
2012-10-05
Ice Hockey, Oktoberfest and the Rotwandhaus (hut)
Ice Hockey, Oktoberfest and the Rotwandhaus (hut)
On Tuesday evening I went with Bene, Micheal, Sam, Jonas and Phillip to an Ice hockey match. It was Rosenheim vs Landshut. It was a very exciting match and and Rosenheim won 4:1. I bought a Scarf at a souvenir shop.
On Tuesday evening I went with Bene, Micheal, Sam, Jonas and Phillip to an Ice hockey match. It was Rosenheim vs Landshut. It was a very exciting match and and Rosenheim won 4:1. I bought a Scarf at a souvenir shop.
On Wednesday we went to the Oktoberfest in Munich. when we got there we were overwhelmed at how many people were there. We walked around the Oktoberfest and saw a lot of giant rides and huge Beer tents. We walked to the statue of Lady Bavaria and we saw all across the Oktoberfest. We walked back down to the main part and went looking for souvenirs. We wanted to ride on some Rollercoasters but it was too expensive. Then we bought some Pommes and Mezzomix. When we were full we went to a Lolly stall and bought Gingerbread hearts and lollies. After we made our way out of the Oktoberfest we went home.
Yesterday we went to the mountains, to the Rotwandhaus. We rode on the Gondola to the top of the mountain. We walked the rest of the way up and over the mountain, and down about 1km. We walked up the highest point that you can walk up in Germany. When we arrived at the Rodwandhaus we went to our rooms and unpacked our packs.
2012-04-09
Trauriger Abschied - Großes Wiedersehen
Friday was my last day at school. In the breaks everybody signed my T-shirt.
Since Friday I'd had to say goodbye to everybody. It felt strange. I couldn't really realize that I wouldn't see my friends again.
Before we left I had to say goodbye to my older sisters, Georgie and Worran.
After a few hours driving in the car we arrived at the Zoo. There we spent 2 hours. It was a cute one.
After all we went to the airport.
At 4pm my little brother got on his plane to South Australia.
After a while Lukas and his family came to the airport as well.
Finally I had the permission to open the letters which I had received earlier. They were so cute that I started crying.
It was very hard to say goodbye to the people that I love.
Since Thursday 2am Lukas and I have been in Germany.
Our Trip home started in Melbourne at 6 pm. After 7 hours flight we had the first stop in Singapure.
There we stayed for one hour and 30 minutes.
The next flight was 7 hours long to Dubai. The stopover lasted 3 and a half hours.
Finally we arrive after 6 hours flight in Munich. Our plane was 45 minutes late.
My whole family and friends picked me up at the airport.
The last days in Germany I couldn't remember lots of things. I felt like a ghost, who was with the body in Germany but with the thoughts in Australia.
Maybe it sounds pretty stupid but I have problems with the language. I forgot the names of things.
Since yesterday it is better.
I'm not sure if I should be happy to be back in Germany, because I miss my friends in Australia a lot. Of course I am happy to see my German friends and my family again. It feels strange.
xxxxooooxxxxoooo
2012-04-03
Auf nach Sydney!
Last stop Sydney: 12.-15.03.2012
Ich denke, dass allen der Abschied
von ihren Gastfamilien sehr schwer fiel! - Also mir zumindest!
Nach sehr langer Verspätung
unseres Zuges ging endlich die lange Fahrt nach Sydney los. Wir waren ca. acht
Stunden unterwegs und es zog sich sehr lang hin. Doch wir waren alle mit viel
Süßem und mit einer Riesentüte voll mit Chips ausgestattet, so ließ es sich
gleich viel leichter ertragen.
Abends kamen wir endlich in Sydney
an. Nach einem fünf-minütigen Fußmarsch erreichten wir unsere Jugendherberge,
die sehr schön war. Dann bekam jeder noch sein Abendessen und danach ging es
gleich ins Bett.
Der nächste Tag war voller Abenteuer. Als erstes begaben wir uns
auf eine sehr schöne Sightseeing Tour, und
wir konnten endlich „alles“ sehen, was man von Sydney sehen sollte. So kamen
dann auch gleich über 400 Bilder auf meiner Fotokamera zusammen! :D Wir machten
sehr viele Zwischenstopps, wie z. B. an diesen Orten:
Opera House und Harbour Bridge |
CBD Sydney |
Bondi Beach |
Forsyth Park |
The Gap |
Nach der Hafenrundfahrt... |
Als wir mit der City Tour fertig
waren, ging es dann auch schon gleich mit einer Hafenrundfahrt weiter. So
bekamen wir die Möglichkeit, uns die Harbour Bridge und das Opera House ganz
nah anzuschauen. Nach diesem weiteren sehr, sehr schöne Ausflug kam ein drittes
Highlight dazu: der Sydney Tower.
Dort oben konnten wir ganz Sydney sehen. Ich hätte nie gedacht, dass diese
Stadt so groß und sooooo schön ist! Wir blieben sogar noch bis die Sonne unterging.
So konnten wir Sydney am Tag und in der Nacht sehen. Vor allem wenn es dunkel
ist, kommt man nicht mehr aus dem Staunen heraus, weil dann ganz Sydney mit bunten
Lichtern erleuchtet ist.
Sydney Tower: Blick auf die Stadt |
Danach holte sich noch jeder was zu Essen und dann ging es auch schon wieder zur Herberge. Der Tag ging so schnell rum und ich konnte immer noch nicht glauben, dass ich in Sydney war. die Stadt ist bis jetzt echt die schönste Stadt, die ich je gesehen habe und ich werde sie nie vergessen!
Am
Mittwoch sind wir um ca. 9 Uhr zum Featherdale Wildlife Park
aufgebrochen. Da war bei den meisten die Vorfreude groß, weil wir uns
alle auf australische Tiere zum Anfassen freuten. Wir fuhren erst mit
dem Zug und dann mit dem Bus dorthin. Als wir ankamen, konnten wir es
gar nicht erwarten bis die Lehrer unsere Eintrittskarten hatten. Als
erstes ging es vorbei an vielen verschiedenen Vögeln zu den Wallabys.
Die Tiere im ersten Gehege waren ein bisschen zu schüchtern, aber weiter
hinten fanden wir welche, die sich streicheln ließen. Die Wombats waren
auch ziemlich süß, aber ein paar Bedenken hatte ich schon. Neben
dem Gehege stand nämlich ein Schild: "We bite!"
Danach
gingen wir zum großen Känguru-Gehege. Dort waren alle möglichen Arten
zu sehen. Von kleinen Wallabys bis zu großen Kängurus.

Die
restlichen Tiere waren auch sehr interessant. Wir haben sogar einen
Papagei gesehen, der sprechen konnte!!! Das war echt abgefahren...Es gab
sogar noch ein Albino-Känguru zu bestaunen und streicheln. Einige von
uns haben Fledermäuse gesehen, die gerade mit dem Liebesspiel
beschäftigt waren :p
Als
wir fertig waren, gingen wir noch kurz zum Kiosk und holten uns was zum Essen. Anschließend gingen wir noch in den Souvenir Shop und dann fuhren
wir wieder in die City.
Manly Beach |
Naja es war echt ein schöner Abschluss unseres Aufenthalts in Down
Under. Am
Abend gingen wir noch in Chinatown zum gemeinsamen Abschiedsessen. Es haben nur wenige geschafft, das komplette Essen mit Stäbchen
zu essen. :) Aber es hat lecker geschmeckt...

Nachdem
wir das Aquarium besichtigt hatten, genossen wir ein paar Stunden zur
freien Verfügung am Darling Harbour. Dort konnte man essen und noch ein
paar letzte Souvenirs einkaufen. Um ca. 4 Uhr gingen wir gemeinsam zur
Jugendherberge zurück, um unsere Koffer zu holen. Wir hatten auch noch
genügend Zeit, um unsere Einkäufe einzupacken und uns
umzuziehen.
Um sieben holte uns der Bus zum Flughafen ab. Dort
angekommen, machten sich einige von uns Sorgen, ob sie zu viel dabei
haben. Aber zum Glück war der Typ am Schalter sehr nett und niemand
musste umpacken...:) Danach
gingen wir so schnell wie möglich zum Gate, weil wir dachten, dass
schon boarding war, aber die haben das Gate erst später aufgemacht (wie
immer). Bevor wir eingestiegen sind, sind wir noch auf Toilette
gegangen und haben unsere Flaschen aufgefüllt. Dann konnten wir endlich
in den Flieger rein...
Nach
ca. 14 Stunden kamen wir am Flughafen von Abu Dhabi an. Wir waren alle hungrig, weil wir im Flieger relativ wenig gegessen haben. Deshalb hat
es einige von uns zu McDonald's gezogen. Wir haben uns vollgestopft,
weil wir wussten, dass wir so schnell nichts Gutes zu essen bekommen würden...
Etwa sechs Stunden später kamen wir wohlbehalten und aufgeregt am Flughafen
München an. Aufgeregt war ich, weil ich mich darauf freute, meine Familie
wiederzusehen. Wirschnappten unsere Koffer, Herr Lehrer hielt noch
eine kleine Abschlussrede ("Ihr wart eine tolle Gruppe..., und jetzt
will ich nicht länger um den heißen Brei herumreden, raus zu euren
Eltern!!!"). Das taten wir natürlich. Mama und Papa waren so glücklich,
mich wiederzusehen und ich war es ebenfalls. Die Sydneyfahrt war für
mich ein perfekter Abschluss dieses Schüleraustauschs.
Celine
2012-04-01
Die letzten 3 Tage = 72 Stunden = 4320 Minuten = 259200 Sekunden, ...
Die letzten Wochen hier in Australien waren einfach unglaublich. Meine Familie hier ist phantastisch. Ich habe mich absolut wie zuhause gefühlt. Am Freitag war der Tag des Abschieds in der Schule. Alle waren traurig, dass wir, Johanna und ich wieder nach Hause fliegen müssen. Uns ging es genau so. Hunderte von Fotos wurden geschossen, und es wurde viel geredet, gescherzt und gelacht. Nachdem die letzten Fotos im Kasten waren, und alle auf dem T-Shirt unterschrieben hatten, ging es ab nach Melbourne. Nach nur 4 Stunden Fahrt sind wir in Melbourne in unserem Appartment angekommen. Nach einem kurzen Abendessen bin ich ins Bett. Am nächsten Tag sind wir dann um halb elf zum MCG, einer Footy-Arena aufgebrochen, um uns Melbourne Demons vs. Brisbane Lions anzuschauen. Es ist ein riesiges, beeindruckendes Stadion.
Am Anfang war es ein sehr interessantes Spiel, aber am Schluss waren die Brisbane Lions zu stark, das Spiel wurde langweilig. Der Sieg ging an die Brisbane Lions. Nach dem Spiel sind wir dann noch schnell zum Melbourne Fanshop gegangen, aber leider war nichts für mich dabei. Danach, um 5 p.m., sind wir zurück zum Appartment gegangen. Das Abendessen wurde uns von einem Pizzaservice geliefert und dann ging's ab ins Bett.
Es ist wirklich schade, dass die 11 Wochen schon vorbei sind. Froh bin ich, dass Tom im Oktober in meine Familie kommt und wir uns so wiedersehen werden.
Ein Traum geht zu Ende.
Lukas Matthias
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
He’s experienced a lot here in Aus, mostly because we as a
family thought it would be good for him to experience all these cultural and
lifestyle differences, but most importantly, Lukas involved himself and had a
go at everything we threw at him (especially the food, we had no problems
there). Come to think of it, I don’t think we had any problems with him at all.
He has been more than happy to help in many situations, like the large amount
of mowing we have to do on our property.
I‘m so glad I chose to participate in our Germany-Australia
exchange and it has rewarded me greatly. I can’t wait to go to Germany myself
and experience the other end of this exchange, plus the amazing relationship
that has grown between our two families already. I would seriously recommend an
overseas exchange to anyone!
Tom Stevenson-Vissers
Abonnieren
Posts (Atom)