Germany - SAGSE Scholarship

It only feels like yesterday when I was picked up from Frankfurt Airport — me, jet-lagged and completely unaware of what I’d signed up for, holding on for dear life as my host mum cruised down the Autobahn at 200 km/h. Just three days earlier, I’d been sitting my final VCE German exam — and now I was surrounded by the real thing. Little did I know, it was the start of one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life.

As a proud recipient of the SAGSE Scholarship, I spent 10 weeks living with a host family in Wolfsburg (the Volkswagen city!), attending a German Gymnasium, travelling to over 25 cities, and immersing myself fully in the culture and language. From board games over hot chocolate with my host brother, to singing Christmas carols in church, to watching Beauty and the Beast entirely in German theatre — every day felt like a new chapter in a story I didn’t want to end.

One of the most surreal moments came towards the end of the exchange, when I had the honour of representing my cohort by giving a speech at the Australian Embassy in Berlin. Speaking to a room full of Australian and German diplomats — just weeks after arriving — felt like the ultimate full-circle moment. I spoke about everything from cultural challenges to dinner table jokes, and was fortunate enough to meet incredible figures, who shared their own journey into diplomacy and inspired me to think bigger about international connection.

Between Wintercamp in Goslar, a week of independent travel across southern Germany and Austria, and dozens of spontaneous conversations with locals, I came away from this exchange with more than just improved language skills. I visited castles straight out of fairy tales — like the iconic Neuschwanstein Castle (the one that inspired Disney!) — explored Christmas markets in Salzburg, climbed snowy alpine hills, and navigated more train stations than I can count. Through it all, I left with a second family, lifelong friends, and a much deeper appreciation for culture, connection, and curiosity.

None of this would’ve been possible without the passion for language learning that the Unihigh LOTE team instilled in me, and I’m incredibly grateful for the doors this opportunity has opened.

If you’re even remotely thinking about applying — do it. This isn’t just an exchange. It’s a journey that changes you.

You can find out more about the SAGSE Scholarship here: https://www.sagse.org.au/scholarships.

If you have any questions about the application process or just want to hear more about how it all works, feel free to reach out to our school’s amazing LOTE team — they’d be happy to connect you with me for a chat. 

AURICK CHATTERJEE 

Year 12 in 2024