German Exchange 2024 - a brief snapshot

Tobias Hood

My family and I had a fantastic time with my German exchange partner Thea. We really enjoyed hearing how a person from a different country perceived Australia - it helped that it was mostly positive! 

On a family trip to Canberra and Sydney Thea was overawed by Sydney Harbour and wouldn’t stop saying how surreal it was to actually be looking at the Opera House and Harbour Bridge!

Back home, it was funny to see how shocked she was when all the Australian families were a bit late to events, a big difference to their German punctuality.  Thea said she really enjoyed the Australian nature and wildlife, seen during a three day trip along the Great Ocean Road. 

Leanne Leong

German exchange this year was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. In Germany I tried so many new things, created new friendships and explored a culture different to any other that I’ve experienced. 

I formed such a great friendship with my exchange partner and I’m really grateful that I got to spend more time with her in Australia. I showed her some of my favourite places in Victoria such as Cathedral Ranges, my local area and Wilson’s Prom. 

I think that the biggest culture shock she had was coming to my youth church. It was completely different to the church services that they normally go to -  worship, small groups and just having a service for youths in general was the polar opposite of the church service I experienced in Paderborn. 

This German exchange has shown me how much more of the world I want to explore and all the cultures I want to experience. It has also grown my love for the language and all the friendships I’ve made. 

Asher Burns

German Exchange for me was seriously one of the best experiences I’ve ever had in my life. I think I was extremely lucky with my partner, an almost exact replica of myself – my family joked that he was my German twin: from surfing together at Bondi, playing games together, sharing air pods in the car, to somehow even buying matching sunglasses to go to the farewell party with. Although he said the biggest culture shock for him was driving on the left side of the road, our church was an experience that he hadn’t really expected. 

I had mentioned the differences to him briefly, but the community and cultural aspect of the churches here in Australia, led to his enjoyment of the church. 

The German exchange has shown me far more than a language, but a lifestyle, a culture, an experience, a time of friendship and compassion. A place that I have plans to visit with the rest of the 2024 German Exchange after we finish Year 12.