1998 School Magazine

Girls 6rammar ^Iconot ;!aristane 1998

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The German EXchange Program here was both excitement and trepidation at the Bris- the dress code, which permitted body piercing and outlandish bane International Airport on the morning of 10 Decem- hairstyles; thus punks and gothics frequented the classrooms or smoked in front of the school

bet, 1997, as eight Grammar girls accompanied by Mrs Debra Barker, were preparing to depart on the German study trip to Essen. There was a great deal of irony in our destination, Essen, as that is the German verb for "eating" and we were certainly about to do that in excess in Germany - the land of gummi- bears We were filled with apprehension at the thought of four weeks in a German household and the prospect of spending Christmas away from home. Seven of us were senior German students, aspiring to return home as fluent Fratileins. Emma Cornford on the other hand did not actually learn German but, like the others, was looking for the holiday of a lifetime OLir arrival at Essen Railway Station and our first encounter with our host sisters marked the beginning of a new learning experience that involved a great deal more than just learning to speak better German. Each of Lis AListralians was to experience a separate taste of German life as part of a host family

Tradition was prominent in German lifestyles, especially during Advent and the Christmas period. Some of us were lucky enough to attend Christmas services where seasonal prayers and rituals were observed and German carols sung. Despite this rewarding experience and the sight of snow on December 21, these great differences often reminded us of the Christmas we were missing at home - the beaches, beer and barbecues

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Apart from day trips to nearby towns like Dasseldorf and Cologne, most of the time was spent in Essen. This allowed us Aussies to experience eveiyday German life ^at her than be mere tourists. This immersion in everyday life also provided greater opportunities to learn more of the language, gain a greater understanding of the SOCio-cultural differences and also gain about five kilograms due to gross consumption of chocolate and gtimmi-bears The five weeks

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To minimise jet-lag, the girls were packed off to school the very next day at 7:30 on a dark, wet, and cold morning. The differences between BCGS and the sister school Maria-Watchtler- Schule were qLiite obviotis. We were amazed at the leniency of

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went very qtiickly and the groLip was bacl< at Essen Rail- way station on 12 JanLiary 1998 to be- gin the long joLirney home. Similar to oLir suitcases, we were all a great deal heavier. SoilTe tears accompanied the talewells, but the girls were assured of meeting again latei in the yeai

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