Stroll through a romantic old town, eat pretzels, bratwurst, and currywurst, and practice German with your family or peers. Try cookies, local specialties, and admire the handicrafts at the Christmas markets that take place throughout the country during Advent. Experience Oktoberfest in Bavaria or Carnival in Cologne.
Children who participate in an exchange program in Germany return home excited. Why? They fully enjoy their daily lives: school ends early enough to spend time with friends and pursue hobbies.
Independence is the magic word: many children ride their bikes or walk to school. Your German parents often give you a lot of trust and support you in becoming independent. Germany is also a country where parents often take plenty of time for their children. This is reflected in the shared evening meal: the food (bread, cheese, sausage, salad, etc.) is placed in the center of the table, and everyone simply takes what they like.
Climate and environmental protection are top priorities here. Nationally and internationally, expanding renewable energy is a central goal. There are also stricter rules for waste separation here than in a monastery. But it’s worth it: Germany holds the top position worldwide in recycling.
The most widely spoken native language in the EU is German. Germany is the largest economy in the European Union (EU) and the fourth largest in the world after the USA, China and Japan. Interest in learning German is therefore growing rapidly in many countries.
German is not a particularly difficult language. In fact, it is very easy to pronounce as it is phonetic: you only have to read a word to know how it is pronounced. The grammar is logically structured. And: nouns are not reinvented, but are quickly put together to form a new word. That can be great fun.
What’s more, German is a beautiful language that has produced an impressive variety of literature, music and poetry.
Do you know FC Bayern Munich? Soccer, basketball, handball, motor sports, …. As a sports-loving country, Germany is also a successful sports nation. Take the plunge and become a member of one of the almost 90,000 sports clubs and get to know German club culture.
Pork knuckle, vegetarian or even vegan? This is no longer unusual in Germany and is tolerated throughout the country. In general, Germans are very tolerant and open to new things.
Many German cities are full of architectural treasures that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Whether historical or at modern cultural events – you will experience a rich and diverse culture that is unique in the world. Your host family will be happy to show you around.