On to Achern

Group Picture in Schmölln



Grill Party in Uetze



Frankfurt am Main

Frankfurt am Main Group Picture



 Our first stop in Germany was Schmölln, a small town that was a big change from Vienna. I went on to visit my sister in Franfurt (Oder), while the group visited Erfurt and Gera. Our stays in Schmölln and Berlin were short, and yet we still made friends that we are all keeping in touch with as we continue our tour.

Although Berlin was rainy, we all agreed that our hosts were so hospitable and friendly that our experience still left us sad to leave. In Berlin we were able to visit Sachsen-Hausen and Checkpoint Charlie. We also visited the Museumsinsel (Island of the Museums) and the Reichstag (where the government is housed).

Our next stop was Uetze, which was also a culture shock after coming from Berlin. A small town near Hannover, Uetze was exactly what we needed after the busy city life of Berlin. Our hosts had invited most of us to attend their Abi-ball, which is a lot like our Prom in America. However, many of our students commented on how much more fun the Abi-ball was. After dancing the night away, some until 4 or 5 in the morning, we had a day to sleep in and then Monday we all went to school.

On the way to Achern, we stopped in Frankfurt (Main) to take a tour of the city. Herr Koerner's son Manu gave us a tour of the area around the center of Franfurt, and the Main tower. We were able to watch the live weather update while standing on the tower.

Finally after somewhat stressful, yet still enjoyable travel, we all find ourselves in Achern. Everyone is so relieved to be able to stay for a longer time with people we have already become friends with through the exchange. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves, and our families all have plans to keep us busy this weekend.

Ellen Koerner

The First 5 Days

Austria from the plane window

Prater Theme Park/Vienna view from the giant ferris wheel

Our group in front of the Cathedral in Vienna

Eating lunch with our new friends in Vienna

Group picture in front of the Mozart Memorial,Vienna.

O the balcony of Schönbrunn Castle (Vienna)

Prague

Our first five days have been filled with extensive traveling, but many new sites and friends. Yesterday we all arrived safely in Altenburg, and everyone is enjoying their family stay.
The first city we visited was Vienna. Although we were skeptical at first due to our exhaustion, the city turned out to be beautiful in better weather and with full stomachs. We only loved the city more as soon as we met the students from the school we visited. They gave us a tour of their school which is a technical/business higher education school, and then they also took us around the city to show us some of the night life. The next day we continued our tour, and were excited to hear that our friends wanted to meet up with us again before we had to leave. Their warm welcome made us feel as though we had been friends for longer than three days and we were truly sad to leave. As we said our goodbye's, many of us commented on how the Altenburg students would have a difficult time living up to the kindness and hospitality we had already experienced.
In only three short days, we toured much of the first district of Vienna, and Schönbrunn castle(the home of Sissi and Franz). Our hostel was very nice, and we enjoyed the time to get to know each other as a group. However, as we traveled on yesterday for approximately 10 hours on the trains, we all looked foreward to a homecooked meal.
In the middle of the day, about halfway to Altenburg we stopped in Prague for a few hours. The weather was a little colder than we expected, but nice because we could walk around without getting too hot. We only had a short amount of time, but some people in the group managed to hike up to the castle. The picture above shows a view from the bridge that we crossed filled with tourists, vendors, and musicians. After an exhausting fifth day, we made it to Altenburg with high hopes for our next experiences.
Today we became more acquainted with the school in Schmölln, which lies about 10 minutes outside of Altenburg. We presented them with our official school present, and some of our students gave their presentations on our town and area. We later went to a small reception with the mayor of Schmölln, which was broadcasted on the local tv station. Everyone seems to be happy with their host families, and have already contacted our friends in Vienna. We are all hoping that our entire stay is as unforgettable, and so far everyone we have met has been so selfless and hospitable. We are truly greatful.


GAPP 2011, Day 6. -Ellen Körner