After going through the baggage reclaim, we met up with our German exchange partners and everyone went their separate ways with their host families. The rest of the afternoon was spending our time with our host families and bonding with them.

The next day, Sunday, was another free day to spend time with our partners and their families.

On Monday, everyone met up at U-Bahn Station Hagenbeck at 10:00. We got to go on a ferry ride, have a picnic and go up to St. Michael's church to get a wonderful view.

Tuesday, we spent the day with our partners in the school, so we got to have a taste of what their lessons were like.

On Wednesday, the English group went to a botanical garden, to Alster Lake, and then to a chocolate museum. It was really fun.

On Thursday, it was an excursion to Lübeck, going to a museum and having free time.

Friday was the last day. We went to school for a few periods before saying goodbye to our partners.

Seline Wong, Year 9

During my one-week exchange in Hamburg, I stayed with a German family and had a great experience learning about their culture and daily life. They were very welcoming and made me feel at home from the moment I arrived. I enjoyed trying traditional German food, exploring the city, and spending time with my host family. One of the most interesting things I learnt was the word "Moin," which is a common greeting used in northern Germany. My host family used it all the time, and by the end of the week I was using it too.

The exchange helped me improve my German language skills and gave me a better understanding of German culture. Speaking about German culture, I tried many delicious foods. One was Franzbrötchen, a traditional pastry from Hamburg, and I really enjoyed it because it was sweet, soft, and full of flavour. I also tried Spaghetti-Eis, a popular German dessert that looks like a plate of spaghetti but is actually made from vanilla ice cream, strawberry sauce, and white chocolate. I really enjoyed trying it because it was both delicious and fun to eat.

I am very excited about meeting my German exchange partner again when she visits in September. I hope she enjoys my school as much as I enjoyed attending hers and that she has a great time experiencing life in England. During my week in Hamburg, I noticed that German life is quite different from life in the UK, especially in terms of school routines, food, and daily habits. Learning about these differences was one of the most interesting parts of the exchange, and it helped me gain a better understanding of another culture. I am looking forward to showing my exchange partner what life is like here and sharing some of my favourite places with her.

Overall, the exchange trip was an amazing experience that I will never forget. It gave me the opportunity to improve my German language skills, learn about a different culture, and make new friends. Staying with a German family helped me become more independent and confident, and I enjoyed every part of the trip. I would highly recommend taking part in an exchange programme because it is a unique and rewarding experience that teaches you so much beyond the classroom.

Katie Murati, Year 9