Our trip is tentatively planned for June of 2011.

This is the week after school lets out - for 12 days.

We will be flying into Munich and visiting our sister school in Osnabrück.

The last trip cost $3,689 (ouch!) but there is talk of fundraising -. Also, as the dollar strengthens, our price drops!!!!

This trip includes all dinners and lunches, entrance fees, private bus, airfare, 4 nights in hotels, day trips in Osnabrück, a chance to experience German culture first hand in a German house, and the most excellent tour guide ever - FRAU Kuvin!

Interested? See Frau Kuvin for details.

There are currently 15 spots open.

As soon as a deposit is received, your spot is reserved.

Stay tuned for more information!

Note: To be eligible to travel in June 2011, you must be a current Freshman or Sophomore and currently take or have taken German.

Wir fahren nach Deutschland!

Here is the article from our last trip to Germany - in June, 2009.

“The President of the German Club approves this trip!” – Matt Frantz

12 Padua students chaperoned by Frau Kuvin and Brother Tom Carroll set off for Austria/Germany on Sunday June 7, 2009.  first Stop – Vienna, Austria.  Our hotel in Vienna used to house the guests of the royal family – well!   “I immediately fell in love with Austria and loved the warmth and polite welcome.” – Kevin ‘Lucas’ Lynn.

We sleepily took in the sights of Vienna (having been awake for over 24 hours at this point) including the Grand Schönbrunn palace – the summer home of Maria Theresa – mother of Marie Antoinette!  When we went inside St. Stephen’s church in downtown Vienna, we were fortunate enough to hear the organ playing – impressive.

After a much needed good night’s sleep, we got on our bus – driven by Hans – and drove to Stift Melk.  This is an active monastery on the Danube (Donau) river.  Absolutely beautiful.

From this serene setting we went to Mathausen – a former concentration camp during WWII.  In one of our digital pictures we were certain we saw a lost soul wandering – We prayed that this would never be allowed to happen again.

In Salzburg the students were treated to a personalized tour given by Frau Kuvin and then went on a city-wide scavenger hunt!  “My favorite part is thinking you know German and then walking into Austria and not understanding anything!”  (because they speak a dialect) Chelsea ‘Kata’ Bohaty  “The spaghetti ice cream is amazing.  The noodles are ice cream, the sauce is strawberry and the cheese is white chocolate shavings!” Sean ‘Wolfie’ Hudgins.  “The ice cream is AWESOME!” Joseph ‘Jo’ Rajka.

In Berchtesgaden the students went into the mountain for a cool salt-mine tour (which included 2 slides, 2 train rides and 1 boat ride) and then to the top of the mountain to Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest.  It was cold and rainy, but the clouds lifted just long enough for us to catch our breath.  The view was spectacular!

We took a long and winding road to the Neuschwanstein Castle – the one you see at Disney World was modeled after this castle.  Then we took a quick tour of Munich ending with dinner at the Hofbrau Haus!

When the bus pulled into Osnabrück, we were greeted by students, parents, hugs, flowers and happiness all around!  The students didn’t just go home with a german student from Ursulaschule, the students went home with their friend!  That moment – when everyone was so happy to see each other – is what this trip is all about.  Making the world a smaller place.

“I am very thankful for all of the friendships that I have created.  I have a feeling some of these will last a lifetime.  Taking German has made me realize that many stereotypes about this culture are false.  I am more accepting of people of different cultures now.”  Danielle ‘Andrea’ Gerbic. 

“My favorite part of the trip was to see German culture here and also to see some of my friends who we met during the exchange back at Padua.”  Rachel ‘Natascha’ Murray.

“I really ilked seeing all of the Germans again!  I wish we could have stayed with them for more than a week though.  I’m really going to miss them!” Allison ‘Silvia’ Margevicius.

In Osnabrück we toured city hall, went to school with our hosts (they have school until mid-July) and had both a welcoming breakfast and a cookout at the school.

The students went many places together and experienced German life first hand.

“Germans don’t waste time!  Whether it is walking, driving, or eating:  they are very fast.”  Kyle ‘Björn’ Petko.

“Few big corporate stores.  No Wal-mart, K-mart’s etc.  The supermarkets are tiny versus ours.  Everything else is found in smaller shops.”  Brandon ‘Johann’ Berhent.

“Best trip ever!  Being able to see how people in a completely different part of the world live and how we aren’t that different is priceless.” Stephanie  ‘Maria’ Lemut.

From Osnabrück we took the train to Bremen and then to Hameln.  Riding a train in Germany is all part of the experience.  This group had the extra bonus of being able to go to the Abi Ball – the German version of our prom.  it was the perfect ending to a wonderful trip!

“I loved this trip!  I’m so glad I came and was able to have this experience!” Emily ‘Gabi’ Erdelac.

 

Some differences the students noticed in Germany were:

-all doors in  the house are closed.

-late dinner

-carbonation

-costs money to use public  restrooms

-AMAZING ice cream!

-the families attend prom.

-class bells much more polite.

-They eat deli meat at breakfast.

-The bread is AWESOME!

-The flushers on toilets are all different. It’s an adventure!

- Use way more public transportation.

-More bikes/bike lanes.

-The crosswalks beep

-Coke has more sugarJ

-More family-oriented.

-Cleaner streets and atmosphere.

-Very few junker cars.

-Lots of people walk.

-Bike riders are crazy!

-the food is healthier.

-People usually speak more than one language.

-Pedestrain zones.

-18 for driver’s license.

-Autobahn.

-smaller cars

-more censorship to violence, but less to sex.

-wear house shoes.

-not as many skyscrapers.

-everything is older/more historic

-garbage cans – not just one big one, but smaller recycle specific ones. ex: plastic, glass, paper, and the rest.

-in school they are allowed to leave when they have a break to go eat or walk in the city.

-they like to wear scarves!

-eat the main meal at lunchtime.

-the way they dance at clubs and dances.

-electrical plugs.

-they don’t have Mountain Dew L

-security at airport – you can wear shoes.

-Time is by military time.

-Water – it’s mineral/carbonated – unless you ask for ohne Gas.

-It was still light outside at 11pm.

-Not many clocks in the house.

-everything (to drink) has bubbles in it!

-Lots of little shops.

-Many apothekes.

-AMAZING chocolate & gummie bears.

-ride bikes everywhere.

-cool (if not difficult to figure out) showers.

-Germans are always in a hurry/on a mission.

-Diet coke is Cola light.

 

God Bless!

I feel fortunate to be a part of such a wonderful program!.

For more information on hosting a german student or travelling to germany, contact Frau Kuvin at bkuvin@paduafranciscan.com

 

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