In June 2025, we had the pleasure of welcoming our exchange students from Texas to Berlin for their return visit. The program was packed with cultural, political, and educational highlights that gave our American guests a deep insight into life in Germany and especially in Berlin.
The exchange students arrived on Sunday, June 1st, and were warmly welcomed by their host families.
On their first Monday, they explored the historic center of Berlin, visiting the Brandenburg Gate, the Museum Island, and the Humboldt Forum, including the “Berlin Global” exhibition. Later that afternoon, they were officially welcomed by our district mayor, Mr. Igel.
On Tuesday, the group visited the German Bundestag, where they learned a lot about the German Bundestag and the history of the Reichstag building. They also had the chance of a conversation with an employee of the member of the Bundestag Andreas Jung, who unfortunately had to cancel last minute. In the evening, they enjoyed the spectacular Grand Show “Falling in Love” at the Friedrichstadt-Palast.
During the next 3 school days, the Texan students were oficially welcomed at the welcome breakfast by our principal, Ms. Oestreich. They took part in the lessons and experienced everyday German school life. Cultural excursions continued with a visit to the Berlin Underworlds Museum and the Asisi Wall Panorama on Thursday.
The long 4-day-weekend was spend with the host families, most of which took their guests on trips to Dresden (many went there) or other exciting locations.
On Wednesday, June 11th, they visited a traditional bread factory, where they had the chance to taste many different German breads and they were stunned by all this bread that isn’t toast. Later that day, they explored the Soviet War Memorial in Treptower Park.
The following day included a visit to the Federal Foreign Office, where the whole group learned about German foreign policy and the pros and cons of working in the German diplomatic service.
On Friday, June 13th, the group took a trip to Potsdam, where they had a guided tour of the “Neues Palais” and visited the “Pfaueninsel” (Peacock island) which marked the last cultural visit of the program.
The weekend was spent with host families with the highlight being the Farewll-Party in a watersports center located at the river spree. The buffet was huge and everyone had a lot of fun. The American guests made the evening with a very funny play about Alexander von Humboldt as a time traveler who experiences the modern tech and fashion.
On Monday, the last full day of our guests being in Germany, all students met at the “Strandbad Wendenschloß” to have a fun last day together at the beach.
And then the time to goodbye came near. Slowly getting out of bed vey early in the morning was another unfortunate aspect of this Tuesday. After some last hugs goodbyes, we waved at our partners going through security as long as we could see them.
The exchange was a great time for all of us and we really enjoyed it. We’d like to thank everyone involved in making this amazing experience possible and hope that this partnership between our schools and this exchange program will continue forever, giving more student the possibility to also make these unforgettable memories.
