Seventeen German students and staff from Lumen Christi Catholic College, Pambula Beach have spent a month in Germany immersing themselves in the local culture. Students visited Münster; Berlin; Bamberg; Nuremberg and Heidelberg where they enjoyed the local cuisine, scenery and architecture.

The trip began in Münster where students were billeted out to German host families. Students experienced the rigour and challenges of German schooling, the independence of travelling everywhere by bike and the beauty of the city’s medieval buildings and vibrant culture.

In Berlin, the group attended the Berlin Reunification Celebrations at the Brandenburg Gate. They visited Checkpoint Charlie; the Eastside Gallery; Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp; the Stasi Museum; the Spy Museum; the Rittersport Chocolate Factory; and the Pergamon Museum.

The group travelled by train to UNESCO World Heritage town Bamberg, where they completed a walking tour of the city and underground tunnels. The students enjoyed tasting Spaghettieis, a German ice cream dish made to look like a plate of spaghetti.

Another highlight of the trip was a stop in Heidelberg, where the group attended the local Oktoberfest. They dressed in traditional attire, danced and drank Apfelschorle (apple juice and sparkling mineral water). 

Sightseeing in Heidelberg included a solar boat trip on the Neckar river and a tour of Germany’s oldest university. A fascinating fact about the University of Heidelberg is that it has a prison built for unruly students from 1778 to 1914. 

On the final night of the trip, the group celebrated with a three course meal at Heidelberg Castle.

“Our students were inspired to continue their German language studies,” Co-ordinator Janine Watters said. “Many made life-long friends and returned home with a renewed appreciation of the beauty of our own little corner of the world.”

“This trip has been the most amazing experience of my entire life,” said Year 10 student Georgia Maratheftis. “I am so thankful to my teachers for giving me this incredible opportunity to meet new people and learn new skills.”