Mairo

The week is over and our really great trip to Germany is also over. From 10-15 February visited small group of people from our school our friend school in Germany. Our Trip started on Monday morning. Everybody was so excited and waited the journey. Our plan foresaw that we drive by bust to Riga, then fly to Bremen and then take two hour bus drive again to our destination. Some our friend had never fly and they were quite nervous. Everything went very well and we reached our destination safely. Now came new problem, when we reach our final destination to Werther and how to meet our hosts. Everybody was really exited including me. For me it was second exchange. After bus ride from Bremen to Werther came highlight of the day. Meeting our new friends and hosts. Everything went well and soon everybody drive home to meet the families. This time hosted me family Grunewald and exchange student is Lennart. At home I meet my family. First Lennart showed me their huge house and also my room where I lived this short week. After a quick tour at house it was time to eat dinner and start talking about Estonia and my home. Dinner was really good after a long trip. In the evening we started to watch football game and talked a lot. Next day we had a school day so we went to bed early. 

My family

Other days you can read form other posts but I would like to talk about snowy Sunday. My family talked that near the Werther is other small city called Melle, and there is a car museum. Because I am a car guy and I like all kind of cars. And because Sunday was free we decided to visit the museum. Mark Paul and Tauno joined also with me and together we analysed every kind of cars. In the museum was very old cars and some really rear cars. Especially I remember original Audi Quattro the Legend of rally. There was very rare small cars what was used after Second World War like BMW isetta 250. Small car that nobody today cannot imagine how to drive it. There huge model planes collection and all James Bond cars. Unfortunately Bonds cars were only a models. I also saw first Audis. Back at the day they were called NSU. There was very interesting engine models, you can see how engine works. The museum was really interesting and I recommend it all the people who plans to visit Germany. 

Students' exchange, Merit

Hello, it's me.
On 10 - 15 February we had students' exchange with  Werther Evangelisches Gymnasium. We were hosted in very kind and funny families. I lived in Borgholzhausen and I was hosted by little, sweet family. Mother, father and 14 years old daughter Johanna.

The trip started on Wednesday, at 8.30 AM. We went to Riga by bus and then we had good flight to Bremen. To families we arrived at 7 PM. I met with family and then I went to sleep, because the travelling was tiring.

On the second day we had lessions at local school - Biology, Chemistry, PE. It was very interesting to see a bit different studing method.

PE

After some lessions we visited Peter August Böckstiegel museum.

 Peter August Böckstiegel museum

After museum we went to May's place (her student was Merike). We watched pictures, played UNO and made cake. It was dilicious.

On the third day we went to Bielefeld with Estonians and one German teacher. In Bielefeld was little tour in town and then we had time for shoping.

Bielefeld

When we arrived to Werther Johanna, my host, came and then we went home, had some dinner. Johanna's father Thomas led us to Nane's and we had little girlsnight. We laughed a lot, took pictures, made some wraps, watched pictures, sang etc...

And now is time for weekend, :)
On Saturday some students visited sport centre and played football and badminton. After we visited Bielefield again. In the evening I went to Jaan's host where were some students with their hosts too. There we played games, talk each other and watched fireworks. 

Saturday - last day with family... In the morning we had a walk near our home. Johanna showed me church and talked to me about her neighbours. In the afternoon we went ice skating, it was my first time, but I loved it. We also had dinner, where were almost all students.

Me and Johanna

At home I had to pack my things and my hosting family gave me a present to thank me.

On Monday I had to say goodbye to my family and friends I got from Germany. It was hard... My exchange mother Doris and father Thomas wrote me a letter in ESTONIAN - it was so lovey and it made me cry more...

In my opinion it was the best trip I have had and I miss every person from Germany. 

Written by Laura

In the morning of the 10th February 2 teachers and 20 students including me started a journey to Werther in Germany. Werther is a quite small town in Germany and there is also the school that my school does the students exchange with. We had to go to Riga’s airport by bus and from there go by plane to Bremen. After that we drove 2 more hours by bus and then we saw our new families. My family was so nice and helpful at everything. I shared a room with the older sister Mira who is only one year older than me.

On Thursday our hosts took us to their school so we could see how many differences we can find between our and their school. First of all they have longer lessons than us, so many more students and more lunch options. After schoolday we visited an expressionist painter Peter August Böckstiegel museum where we also got to draw by ourselves.

The following days were full on activities. I went shopping in Bielefeld where I got in trouble because my card didn’t work properly and I paid basically double but everything turned out well. On Saturday we went to play football and badminton. The most exciting day for me was Sunday because then I met Mira’s best friend’s exchange student from England. It was so unusual and amazing to hear the real British accent. By the way they really can’t live without tea!

On Monday we travelled back home but it didn’t go very well for me. I got sick in Germany and now I have been sick for almost a week. The trip was still fun and I regret nothing.

My amazing family :)

Student's exchange in Germany by Kadri Kalve

Some time has past from my return to Estonia from Germany but the warm feeling of  that trip is still in me. It was an unforgettable adventure and certainly a really fun memory to remember.

The whole trip started with a long drive to Riga. Driving with bus doesn't sound that exciting but with right people everything's fun. After the long ride came the thing that had scared me the most in the whole trip - airport. Soon it turned out that it's not that scary at all and the flight went very well.

I had a change to take a picture from the plane window while flying.

  
And then finally I was in Germany. I had never been so far away from home. Actually it wasn't that different from Estonia in the beginning but when we got closer to Werther everything got a lot more interesting.

First of all the sight was so beautiful, you could see the mountains covered with woods in the distance and it was really beautiful. Roads were quite narrow and everything was a bit old-fashioned but I absolutely loved that. All the houses looked really lovely and reminded me a bit of old fairy tales. After two hours ride we arrived at Werther. It's a gorgeous little town. Well maybe it wasn't that tiny but it just felt very compact with it's narrow streets and closely standing houses.

A picture of Werther.

In the evening I met my host family. I was hosted by Emilys family, or as she preferred it Emmi. Already on our firts chat we found out that we have very much in common- love for the same movies,  drawing passion, similar clothing style and so on and on.

Emmi had a very lovely family. Her mother was named Natascha and she was probably one of the kindest person I have ever met. Her dads name was Christian, he had a great sence of humour and could tell lots of interesting stories. Then there was Emmi's brother Oliver whose englsih was surprisingly good for kid who was under ten years old. 

Their home was located in Spenge which in Germany is considered as a village, but in Estonia we would probably call it a borough. Nevertheless it was a nice village. The house I stayed at was nice and felt cozy. I felt comfortable like I was at my own home.

On the next day we visited the Werther Evangelisches Gymnasium. It was really interesting to see the school because it was all quite different from my school. First of all there were so many students I can't even remeber how many but all the parallels of Emmi's class had more students than our whole school. In the afternoon we went to the Böckstiegel museum. The museum was about Peter August Böckstiegel who was a local artist who mainly focused on impressionism. I actually kind of liked that museum because some of the art was quite beautiful. The funnest part was when we were allowed to draw one picture of the artist by ourself. 
In the evening me and Emmi started watching movies, it was really fun. We also talked a lot about all kind of things.

Bielefeld's old town.

On the third day we went to Bielefeld which is the closest big city to Werther. We had a tour in the old city where I saw many very beautiful buildings. I liked the way Bielefeld's old town looked it was really picturesque. After the tour in old town we went to a local history museum. We had a really great guide. He talked about many interesting things and made joke after joke. We could even see some old linen making machinery work wich was very impressive. At end of the tour I was even a little sad because there were so many other interesting things in the museum I wish would have had time to get to know to and what our guide could have talked about. After that we had some time for shopping and walking around the city. There weren't any big shopping malls so it was quite hard to find cool shops.
Then came the weekend which we were supposed to spend with our host families. Me and Emmis decided to go to Wether again so she could show me some things that I hadn't seen yet. First palce where we went was a really astonishing shop called The Underground Factory. I absolutly loved that place. It was a unique shop and there is nothing like it in Estonia. After that we did some more shopping and then went to visit the Sparrenburg Castle. It was a huge fortress with a hihg tower and big walls. The castle has a system of underground passages but they could only be explored from April to October. We went home for the lunch time but after that we dicided to go to some near 

This is the cool shop called The Underground Factory that Emmi showed me.

Me and Emmi at the top of Sparrenburg's castle.

located shopping mall. At the end of the day we were quite tired.
On Sunday I slept til it was twele o'clock. After a wholesome breakfast we decided to visit some art museums. First one was art museum called Marta. There was a exhibition called "Beautiful and Brutal" it sounded really cool but actually it was just some bit confusing modern art. Second art museum that  we visited was located in Bielefeld. There was exhibition consisting of many different works from many different German female artists. I absolutly loved that exhibition. In the evening we had a dinner in a restaurant to crown the great time I had in Germany. And then on Monday started the long way back to home. 

This is the art museum called Marta with the exhibition called "Beautiful and Brutal".

It certainly was a great trip and I am still so thankful for it. I'll have good memories to remember for the rest of my life. I can't wait to see Emmi again and welcome her to Estonia so I could make her stay as memorable as mine.

Anette

On 10-15 February we had a exchange trip to Werther, Germany.
We started our Trip from Kanepi at 8.30 am and we had to drive by bus to Riga. From Riga international airport we had to flew to Bremen. I have flown before, but i was very nervous. When we landed we had to ride by bus to Werther. It was two and a half hour trip. In Werther most of Germans were allready waiting us.
After I met my exchange student we went to her rehearsal of the musical. When we arrived to her home she show me the room. Me and the German shared the room. We had breakfast and dinner with her family every day together. It was unaccustomed for me.
 On Thursday we went to school by car. We had 5 lessons: Biology, Chemistry and Informatics. In their school are pair lessons. Then we had lunch and we went to Böckstiegel house on foot. When we get back to our homes, my German went on a music lesson, but i was too tired to go with her so i had a rest. In the evening we talked a lot. It was great fun, because we both are very sarcastic.

On Friday we went to Bielefeld. We visited a historical museum to see Bielefeld previously. Before leaving the city we had some free time for shopping and then we turned back to our families. On Saturday we played football and badminton with other Germans and Estonians. After that we went again to Bielefeld for shopping. In the evening we wnt also to Kolja's place where were others too not all,but most of them. On Sunday we had a easy day. We got to sleep as long as we want. For the Lunch Demi and Josefine came to visit me and Nane. Nane's mother made wafers. It was so tasty. In the evening me and the family talked and it was allready time for packing. On Moday we left Germany.
I think it was great time, but too short to get to know better the culture and the difference between two different countries. I loved the trip, I enjoyed it and I liked my family very, very much. I miss them allready.

Trip to Germany written by Mari-Liis

The bus station in Werther

It was my second time to take part of the student exchange in Werther, but it is always good to go back.

On Wednesday we started our trip from Kanepi at 8.30.  We drove by bus to Riga international airport. Then we had some time to go to the shops and after that we had to go on the plane. The flight went really good. When we arrived to Werther, some Germans were already waiting us.

 I met my exchange student Franzi and her mother. After we arrived home, Franzi showed me my room and their house. In the evening we talked much and we had a lot of fun.

On Thursday we went to school by car and I had 5 lessons (German, Art and Biochemistry). Then we had lunch. We visited one museum and in the evening we went riding with Franzi.

On Friday we went to Bielefeld by bus. We had a tour with a guide in the old town. I had been there once but it was still great to see all these old buildings.  After the tour, we went to “Historical Museum Bielefeld”. There were a lot of different machines and I think it was quite boring for girls.

Also, we had some free time and me and my friends went to a Turkish restaurant. There was very good service and food was also delicious. The menu was only in german and it was difficult to understand what something means but one waiter helped us and everybody got what they wanted.

Our delicious food 

In the evening me, Merit, Laura, Franzi, Johanna and Mira went to a dance lesson. And after that I went to a party at Julian’s house with Franzi.

On Saturday we didn´t have to wake up too early. We went to Bielefeld to play football with the others. After this activity we were very hungry, so we went to some restaurant. We went to shopping because we wanted to buy some candies and sweets to our family and friends in Estonia.

In the evening we went at Darja’s place. We made pasta and after that played Wii. We sang and danced. We had a lot of fun.

Just Dance

On Sunday we had a lot of time in the morning. We talked, took some pictures and played the piano with Franzi. In the afternoon we went ice skating with the others. There were so many people and the time we spent there was awesome. We went to eat pizza. There was almost everybody who took part of the exchange. The evening was great.

Me and my host family

On Monday it was sad to go back to Estonia but it was nice to sleep on my lovely large comfortable bed again.  

I liked that in Werther and near it there were so many little hills in the background and it was very beautiful.

Trip to Germany written by Tauno

On 10-15 Frebuary we had a student exchange programme to Germany, Werther. From Kanepi we went to Riga International airport and from there to the city Bremen. The flight was quite interesting to me because it was my first time to fly a plane. We arrived to Werther quite late and the families were already waiting. The first night was a lot of fun they questioned me a lot so there was much to discuss about.

My family was typical German family they lived in a big house had a big back yard. My hosts name was Georg and he had 4 sisters and 1 brother and they all had children except the youngest one. They putted me to a top floor of their house and the whole floor was to myself. I had my own kitchen, bathroom and a lot of room. The family was very kind always telling me if I want something just ask.  

                                                                         My room

                                                        My hosts house in German

First night was the most strange because new surrounding and new people but it was quite usual we had a lovely dinner and then they asked me a lot of questions and that was it. The next day started very early like 6.30 in the morning we went to school by bus and we had 5 lessons and a museum visit. The school was quite interesting because the students showed a lot initiative in the lessons and for that they get grades. We also had a PE lesson what different from our lessons. We played every game differently. Later on after the lunch we went to a museum called Böckstiegel. 

On Friday we went to Bielefeld for a city tour. We saw a lot of old houses and a real old church. After the sights we went out eating in a Turkish restaurant where the waiter was very friendly he helped us to pick the food and made a table for us. and when the food was brought to our table the kind waiter made a selfi with us and the whole time in the restoraunt was a lot of fun. After the lunch we had a little time left to shop and then we went back to werther and from there back to the families. Later on there was a plan to go bowling with Paul Levin Lennart and Mairo but our german friends forgot to reservate the track for us so that plan was busted. Then we had an idea to go back to Georg's place and play some board games and so we did. Later on when everybody left we had dinner and again playd some games with Georg. 

                                                               Church in Bielefeld

On saturday we had to go to paly some ball games with the germans and it was a lot of fun we played football Estonia vs Germany and sadly the Germans lost that. Then we played badminton it was not that interesting but also interesting to play. After the sport event we went back to our families. At night we went out to eat in Bielefeld and it was my whole night.
Sunday what was the last day in Germany and to me maybe the most interesting day. in the morning we went to a car museum with Lennart, Mairo, Levin and Paul what was very interesting to see a lot of old cars collected into one building.

A car from the Museum

After that there was a birthday one of the grandchildren and everybody gadered at the house and had a little party for them. I was so amazed when all the broders, sisters and the grandchildren walked in there were like 25 people gadered to celeprate the nine-year-old boy's birthday. There may have had a lot of people but 3 out of them could speak English everybody else sopke only German. The whole birthday event was very intersting they asked from  me a lot of guestions and I can practise my English again. Later on we went to race karts and it was thrilling to compete with my friends. I finished at 6th place and the fastest was Mairo and then came the others. Then came the last dinner with my host family they  gave me some German gifts and it was nice. We stayed up quite late I talked with the partents. If I forgot to mention the parents only spoke Russian so again new experience to practise my russian language. At 5,30 in the morning was this adventure ower everybody were sad because they had to leav but it was such a good time in Germany. 
I cant wait when they come here next year so we can again see eachother.I think it was very interesting adventure to Germany and thank you Gemany and Peace out!!!  

Student's exchange by Tarmo

On 10-15th February there was a student’s exchange programme with Werther Evangelisches Gymnasium. We started our trip on Wednesday at 8.30 in our schoolyard. We travelled to Riga, because there was an airport. It was my first time flying a plane and it was very cool. Some people had problems with hearing after the landing but soon they recovered. We landed in Bremen and there was a guy and a bus waiting for us. When we arrived in Werther almost everybody was there waiting for us. I stepped out the bus and looked for my host(I had not seen him before). Then Karl-Rico’s host Klaus came to me and said that my host is late. Then we waited for him. About 15 minutes later my host Lukas arrived with his mother and everybody went home.

A view from the plane.

The next day was in school for everybody. I was tired and we almost missed the bus. Lukas and I spent almost the whole time with Karl-Rico and Klaus. The lessons were very funny. Lukas and Klaus were making fun of everybody, including teachers. It was funny to see their English teacher get mad at them. I was actually sad to leave the lessons because they were so much fun. After the lessons we went to Böckstiegel museum and learned some knowledge. After that Klaus and Lukas picked Rico and me and we went to our homes. Later at Lukas' house, we all played a match in a game of FIFA. Rico was the best and Klaus was very very bad at penalties.
Rico ruining my landscape pic.

In Friday every Estonian arrived at the cafeteria of the school. Then we jumped on a bus and travelled to Bielefeld. We arrived at Jahnplatz and made a bunch on selfies. Then the guide came and everyone was supposed to be quiet. The tour was long and and after that we had free time in Jahnplatz. We formed a group of 10 people and went to a restaurant called "Piro". The service in that restaurant was the best and the food was delicious. Tauno ordered meals to us all. After everybody was full of food the waiter did a selfie with us and we were happy. Then we went shopping and went to Werther by bus. In Werther Rico and I waited for our host for a long time. We were very mad but then we went to go-karts and we weren't mad anymore. It was my first time go-karting and it was very fun. After go-karting we all went home and everybody was tired.

    

Some church, food from restaurant "Piro", go-kart racing.

The next day was Saturday and we went to play football and badminton with Lukas. On the way to the sport centre we picked up Rico and Klaus. When we arrived at the destination a lot of Estonians were there with their hosts. We first played football and Estonia won. Then we played badminton and everybody had great time. The four of us went to Lukas' place to chill a bit. Then we drove to Bielefeld and visited some shops. We went to McDonald's because Lukas and Klaus were starving. The place was full of people and we went outside to eat. Then we went home again for some time. Then we drove near Bielefeld because there was an adventure park and we wanted to play some laser tag. We played for two rounds and I was last one in both of them. It was so frustrating because some teammates also shot me instead of opponents and the laser gun was with terrible aim. I yelled at a lot of people that time and was very angry. After laser tag everybody went home.

Laser tag crew and half a bottle of delicious Fritz-Kola.

Sunday was a day of chill and sleeping. I ate breakfast with the whole family and had great time. In about 3 o'clock Lukas and I met up with Klaus and Rico and drove to Werther to eat some pizza. A lot of Estonians with their hosts also came and it was very cool. When we were full of food we decided to go go-karting again. This time the track was empty and the four of us raced like mad people. Rico and I flipped Klaus's kart many times and he was sad. In the end Estonia won with Rico in first and I was in second place. I was sooo close to beating Rico and I got mad again. After the race Lukas' father picked us up and we all went home.

Monday was the last day. Everybody woke up early to send their guests to the bus. I woke early and ate breakfast. Then we drove to Werther to jump on a bus. Sadness was in the air because everybody was sad to leave Werther. The bus then started and everybody waved. The trip from Werther to Bremen was short for me because I was watching movies. We waited some time in the airport for our plane and then the flight started. This time two old ladies were in the way of the window and I was mad. When the plane arrived in Riga I felt that I was close to home. The bus stopped near a big supermarket. I was hungry and went with Rico to eat at McDonald's. Then my tummy was full and we went to see some shops. After shopping our trip to home continued. When we arrived at Estonian border we stopped at a gas station and everybody had internet in their cellphones again. When the toilet break was over, we continued our trip to home. My home was about 9 kilometres before Kanepi so I jumped off the bus and drove home. I was finally at home.

Blog entry by Darija

On 10-15 February we had student exchange with Werther Evangelisches Gymnasium from Germany. My host was Finja and she lives in Spenge, it’s a small borough near Werther.

I liked to fly a plane. The clouds were beautiful. When we landed, we still had to ride by bus around 2 hours to get to the Werther. There were waiting for us our host familys to get us to their place.

         

First evening was very great, we ate lasagna and introduced ourselves to each other. After that me and Finja watched an interesting German movie. We didn't even watch it till the end because we were both tired and went to bed.

On the second day we went to Werther Evangelisches Gymnasium to get an idea of their school and how they learn. I liked their school very much. It’s wide and spacious. The classes are 90 minutes long there and if they raise their hand, they have only one finger up. After school we went to Böckstiegel Museum. Guide gave us a tour and talked about his creations there. 

On the third day we went to Bielefield. We had a tour in the old city. I liked it a lot. The old buildings were interestingly designed. After the tour in old town we went to a local history museum. Unfortunately I felt a little bit sick and didn't see everything there. After that we have chance to shop in Bielefield, but everyone was hungry so we went to eat. We ate in restaurant ''Piro''. The portions were very big and delicious. After that I went to Finja's dance class. She dances ballet. In the evening me and Finja went to a party. There were a lot of estonians. It was nice to communicate more with other German people.

On the fourth day we played football and badminton with the majority exchange students. I liked football more. After that we went to Bielefield again. We went to eat and shopping. In the evening me, Finja, Mari-Liis and Anne. We made some food, played video games and sang all together. This evening was very great.

On the fifth day we didn't wake up early as always. We slept until twelve o'clock. We ate breakfast and got ready. We drived to Werther and there was a car waiting for us to drive to Bielefield skating. There were a lot of people and a little bit cold, but that's okay because it was so fun! The music was loud and everyone was happy straight after that we went to eat pizza, it was tasty. When the stomach was full we had to drive home and I had to pack my suitcase. I didn't want to do it at all. 

On the next morning we had to leave. It was so sad to say goodbye to my host family and the others with whom I had a good memories with. I can't wait for the next time I go to Germany. I really loved this place.