In April I spent three weeks in Germany through the Erasmus+ short-term mobility programme, and apart from a significant improvement in my German, I took away many other experiences.
On Sunday 7 April I boarded the train to Germany. After 6 hours of travel, my mood was lifted by a warm welcome from my host family at the train station in Cham - the town where I went to school. My family of six and I became very close over dinner at a pizzeria on the first day.
The next day, instead of taking the 7.49 am bus as I do in HK, I had to take the 6.51 am bus to school. This was because I was not staying in Cham, but in a farmhouse in a village of 20 people about 16 km to the west. The Joseph-von-Frauenhofer-Gymnasium Cham is an eight-year grammar school in the centre of town. This four-storey school has very modern facilities compared to the average Czech school (not to say ours), including three gymnasiums + a school auditorium, two outdoor playgrounds, its own Mensa, a school garden, a climbing wall + bouldering wall, an observatory and much more. Both students and teachers were very nice to me, so I had no problem with the school.
I spent my free time in different ways. When the weather was nice, I explored the beauty of the surrounding area, whether by walking, running or cycling, or I got a taste of life on the farm, for example by feeding the cows or riding the loader. Other times I attended the local firemen's ball, where I got a taste of the local customs, music, food and especially beer. And when it wasn't nice, I visited various nearby towns, such as Reims, where I visited the Bavarian Museum.
My stay in Germany fulfilled my expectations in every way, and so I can safely recommend the Erasmus+ short-term mobility to all students who want to go abroad but don't want to miss much school at home.
We asked...
01
Why would you recommend your classmates to participate in the Erasmus+ programme and what advice would you have for them?
Erasmus serves as a vehicle for young people who want to gain new experiences and step out of their comfort zone. As well as an obvious improvement in the language, you will also gain a degree of responsibility, communication skills and flexibility. If you want to prepare for Erasmus in advance, take time to study the language beyond the school day. As a quality resource for improving your language skills, you can also learn more about the language.
02
What were your first impressions upon arrival to your family and school?
I was already sure before my arrival that the family would be great, and meeting them confirmed that, and I knew there would be no problems with my temporary home. The school had a modern feel to it, a bit like the high schools in the US we know from the movies. Inside it was more chaotic as there were many more kids and teachers.
03
How did this experience affect you in terms of personal development?
Naturally, I perceive a significant shift in my German, but also in my confidence when communicating in a foreign language. Furthermore, by proving that I can take care of myself, it will be easier for me to travel alone, for example. On a more general level, Erasmus has given me the courage and desire to pursue similar activities in the future.
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