The Modern School ECNCR organized a Student Exchange Program with Lessing Gymnasium School, Germany for the students of classes S5 and S6 from June 8 to June 24, 2018.

Primary objectives of the visit for our students were to get an opportunity to understand and appreciate the cultural diversity and history of Germany, and to gain self-confidence, as well as independence in decision making with accountability.

The student exchange program encompassed many learnings. The most important aspect was the ‘homestay’ experience with the host families for more than two weeks. Our students got an insider-view into the German culture in terms of their food, living style, customs, relationships and traditions. They discovered warm, welcoming and cozy homes, miles away from their own homes.

During their stay, the students were taken around Stuttgart to visit historic monuments, Wilhelma zoo, cafes and other touristic areas. Their visit to Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, was an awe-inspiring experience. They also visited Tübingen and Heidelberg — cities of great historical importance and among Germany's oldest universities, Bear Caves located in Boreholes taking us to Jurrasic age, Swiss Alps, Lake Constance, Strasbourg in France, Zürich in Switzerland and many more places.

Students also got an opportunity to meet the Mayor of Winnenden in the city Secretariat, where he welcomed the Indian delegates and explained them about the city’s municipal structure and offices of authorities and also offered snacks.

The young modernites also showcased the rich dance forms of our Indian heritage at three different platforms which left the Germans impressed. â€œI found the students very friendly, eager to learn, respectful and inquisitive,” remarked Mr. Martin, the coordinator from Lessing Gymnasium.

As a part of the exchange program, the accompanying teachers visited a teacher training school and took part in a workshop conducted by Master trainer Ms. Angelika Hoff on Indo-German similarities and differences. They also visited and observed the working of seven different schools across Stuttgart to garner deep understanding of their educational practices.

The 18-days visit left a memorable mark amongst all of the students, who came back home enriched and appreciative of the hospitality shown by the German counter-parts.