Last year, I was welcomed at Goethe-Gymnasium for one year as part of my bilingual Diploma program. I am now writing a little report, to share my experience with you and maybe share some inspiration towards international years.
What exactly does exchange year mean?
Well, I originally study in Switzerland in the canton Vaud. For us, high school starts one year sooner than in Germany, which means I already studied one year in a Swiss gymnasium. If we’re motivated, we can pick to do a bilingual diploma with French imposed, and, as a second language: English, German or Italian. If you manage to get high grades in the first year, you’re accepted to go study abroad for a year. I found it interesting that for the German diploma you don’t need to go to Germany, you can pick any German speaking country! When it comes to the year abroad: There are obviously some adaptations to be made. Grades are counted a bit differently; for my report card, some grades mattered, and some were fully ignored (PGW and Seminar for example). Overall, I moved here for a year, went to school just the same but in another country. The good thing is that since it’s integrated in our school system, that year won’t be missed. I won’t have to repeat it! I’m now studying in 3rd grade of gymnasium and will write my exams this school year.
What’s different in comparison to Switzerland?
I think there are quite a lot of differences, and I’m glad I waited until I started studying again in Switzerland because now, I really notice the contrast. If we’re talking about Goethe, the average school day there is a lot shorter. In Switzerland in my first year, I finished as soon as 15:30 only on one day each four weeks. (Yes, the classes can vary based on the week). In Germany, I would finish at 14-15 o’clock on average and my weekend started on a Friday at 13:15. In Switzerland the latest you finish school can be 17:20… This led to German students having more free time. Many of my friends went to sport clubs, trained in gym regularly, worked side jobs or already had small businesses. We also had a slower learning rhythm and less homework than in Switzerland. After talking with friends who also went abroad, we agreed school was more chill. Come late to class and you’ll quickly get problems, in Germany sometimes half of the class arrived late. I also think teachers are friendlier and more down to earth in Germany. We don’t get called in the 3rd person, after class we can often talk with them if we need to. Really, I like Germany’s friendliness. I got great friends despite knowing I’m staying just for one year. I also managed to have meaningful conversations with strangers I’ve just met in town, which didn’t happen in Switzerland. However, for this I’m not sure whether it’s due to the general friendliness or me being more at ease in a city where people don’t know me.
How did the year abroad go?
It was a bit stressful at first, in Switzerland I had an amazing German level, yet here it was below average. I truly struggled with finding words in subjects like maths and geography, the famous “Fachsprache” (technical language) wasn’t something taught to us in basic German classes. However, once I got the hang of it, I found it easier, and I noticed lots of progress in my German. Goethe’s teachers also grade your general participation in each class. Funny enough, that became my greatest strength, raising most of my grades by a few points. When I couldn’t find the words or understand some idioms, my friends would help me. I also really like the overall friendliness I have experienced at Goethe. I already knew the city as well and lived with my grandparents, so I was at ease. I didn’t get the hang of the S-Bahn at first and got lost at least three times… I’d love to say it got better, but apparently even locals struggle with the Jungfernstieg station.
What did you do in your free time?
Since we had shorter school days, this left me a lot of time. Often, I spent this time at home. However, I had a really explorative mentality: I knew that this year was “the time” to explore any spots I could find in Hamburg and its surroundings (usually I visit Hamburg for vacations and not everything might be open / available). In that year I visited a lot! I went to concerts, theatres, orchestras, museums, fairs, shows… Most of the time I travelled alone. I was happy to learn about the schools “Culture Evening” led by Mrs. Götz, where we would go out and visit events in a friendly non-scholar setting. I also invited my new friends to go to the cinema, orchestra or to go eat together at an interesting place, I truly had some of the most interesting conversations then.
What do you think about Hamburg?
I was born here before I moved to Switzerland. Hamburg is always in my heart! I love its architecture, I love the cold north breeze, I love how social it is with the number of events I could visit. Visiting places like Planten und Blomen, the Elbphilarmonie and the Speicherstadt is a must! This was the first year I could visit the Christmas market since I stayed here for the vacations, and I loved the ambiance near the Alster. The weather is a bit gloomy… which is something you got to get used to… I got very tired in the beginning due to the lack of sun. But when you forget about this and enjoy the fresh air – it’s totally worth it. I can only recommend to my Swiss peers to pick Hamburg as an exchange year destination, but only if they’re up to experience colder temperatures and be a bit further from Switzerland.
Is it worth doing an exchange year?
Absolutely! If you’re up to a bit of challenge and some struggles with adaptation, the benefits of language learning, new lifestyle, cultures and experiences is definitely worth it! Unfortunately, Germans don’t have it included as integrated part of the school system, but I see that some universities offer that program! If any of you want to visit Switzerland, my school has offered itself voluntary for any interested people. Unfortunately, it’s undeniable that you will miss some people. So, to any friends reading this, I miss you all and can’t wait for the next time I’m back in Hamburg to pay a visit 😊.
Last year, I was welcomed at Goethe-Gymnasium for one year as part of my bilingual Diploma program. I am now writing a little report, to share my experience with you and maybe share some inspiration towards international years.
What exactly does exchange year mean?
Well, I originally study in Switzerland in the canton Vaud. For us, high school starts one year sooner than in Germany, which means I already studied one year in a Swiss gymnasium. If we’re motivated, we can pick to do a bilingual diploma with French imposed, and, as a second language: English, German or Italian. If you manage to get high grades in the first year, you’re accepted to go study abroad for a year. I found it interesting that for the German diploma you don’t need to go to Germany, you can pick any German speaking country! When it comes to the year abroad: There are obviously some adaptations to be made. Grades are counted a bit differently; for my report card, some grades mattered, and some were fully ignored (PGW and Seminar for example). Overall, I moved here for a year, went to school just the same but in another country. The good thing is that since it’s integrated in our school system, that year won’t be missed. I won’t have to repeat it! I’m now studying in 3rd grade of gymnasium and will write my exams this school year.
What’s different in comparison to Switzerland?
I think there are quite a lot of differences, and I’m glad I waited until I started studying again in Switzerland because now, I really notice the contrast. If we’re talking about Goethe, the average school day there is a lot shorter. In Switzerland in my first year, I finished as soon as 15:30 only on one day each four weeks. (Yes, the classes can vary based on the week). In Germany, I would finish at 14-15 o’clock on average and my weekend started on a Friday at 13:15. In Switzerland the latest you finish school can be 17:20… This led to German students having more free time. Many of my friends went to sport clubs, trained in gym regularly, worked side jobs or already had small businesses. We also had a slower learning rhythm and less homework than in Switzerland. After talking with friends who also went abroad, we agreed school was more chill. Come late to class and you’ll quickly get problems, in Germany sometimes half of the class arrived late. I also think teachers are friendlier and more down to earth in Germany. We don’t get called in the 3rd person, after class we can often talk with them if we need to. Really, I like Germany’s friendliness. I got great friends despite knowing I’m staying just for one year. I also managed to have meaningful conversations with strangers I’ve just met in town, which didn’t happen in Switzerland. However, for this I’m not sure whether it’s due to the general friendliness or me being more at ease in a city where people don’t know me.
How did the year abroad go?
It was a bit stressful at first, in Switzerland I had an amazing German level, yet here it was below average. I truly struggled with finding words in subjects like maths and geography, the famous “Fachsprache” (technical language) wasn’t something taught to us in basic German classes. However, once I got the hang of it, I found it easier, and I noticed lots of progress in my German. Goethe’s teachers also grade your general participation in each class. Funny enough, that became my greatest strength, raising most of my grades by a few points. When I couldn’t find the words or understand some idioms, my friends would help me. I also really like the overall friendliness I have experienced at Goethe. I already knew the city as well and lived with my grandparents, so I was at ease. I didn’t get the hang of the S-Bahn at first and got lost at least three times… I’d love to say it got better, but apparently even locals struggle with the Jungfernstieg station.
What did you do in your free time?
Since we had shorter school days, this left me a lot of time. Often, I spent this time at home. However, I had a really explorative mentality: I knew that this year was “the time” to explore any spots I could find in Hamburg and its surroundings (usually I visit Hamburg for vacations and not everything might be open / available). In that year I visited a lot! I went to concerts, theatres, orchestras, museums, fairs, shows… Most of the time I travelled alone. I was happy to learn about the schools “Culture Evening” led by Mrs. Götz, where we would go out and visit events in a friendly non-scholar setting. I also invited my new friends to go to the cinema, orchestra or to go eat together at an interesting place, I truly had some of the most interesting conversations then.
What do you think about Hamburg?
I was born here before I moved to Switzerland. Hamburg is always in my heart! I love its architecture, I love the cold north breeze, I love how social it is with the number of events I could visit. Visiting places like Planten und Blomen, the Elbphilarmonie and the Speicherstadt is a must! This was the first year I could visit the Christmas market since I stayed here for the vacations, and I loved the ambiance near the Alster. The weather is a bit gloomy… which is something you got to get used to… I got very tired in the beginning due to the lack of sun. But when you forget about this and enjoy the fresh air – it’s totally worth it. I can only recommend to my Swiss peers to pick Hamburg as an exchange year destination, but only if they’re up to experience colder temperatures and be a bit further from Switzerland.
Is it worth doing an exchange year?
Absolutely! If you’re up to a bit of challenge and some struggles with adaptation, the benefits of language learning, new lifestyle, cultures and experiences is definitely worth it! Unfortunately, Germans don’t have it included as integrated part of the school system, but I see that some universities offer that program! If any of you want to visit Switzerland, my school has offered itself voluntary for any interested people. Unfortunately, it’s undeniable that you will miss some people. So, to any friends reading this, I miss you all and can’t wait for the next time I’m back in Hamburg to pay a visit 😊.
Hugs form Nyon – Nicole Metzler