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HLS greets Southafrica
  • HLS greets Southafrica
Jun – Jul 2024

HLS greets Southafrica

A warm welcome to our southafrican friends!
Follow us around and get to know the second year of our exchange program. Read more
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  • Trip start
    June 14, 2024
    HLS greets SouthafricaTravelerHLS greets Southafrica

    Throwback to last years visit in SA

    June 13, 2024 in South Africa ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    In march 2023 our German group visited our partnerschools in Gqeberha, Southafrica. We had a lovely time, experienced a warm welcome and made Friends.
    If you want to know more about our activities in Southafrica, visit our website: https://www.hls-ol.de/schulleben/aus-dem-unterr…
    We are super excited for the upcoming days here in Germany. Have a safe travel, Friends!    Read more

  • HLS greets SouthafricaTravelerHLS greets Southafrica

    Welcome Party in Hatten

    June 15, 2024 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Our recent trip to Hatten for a barbecue was a great success in fostering community spirit. We played games aimed at building camaraderie, engaged in meaningful conversations, and warmly welcomed our South African exchange partners. We shared our new experiences since the last meeting last year. The day was filled with laughter and good food.Read more

  • HLS greets SouthafricaTravelerHLS greets Southafrica

    First day at Helene Lange Schule

    June 17, 2024 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    After a warmth Welcome of the principal, the Southafrican Students went through the classes with the teachers and played games with the children and held presentations to introduce South Africa to the German students. The German learners were very interested in getting to know the Country and the lives of the guests.
    Afterwards, we all had lunch in the cafeteria. Then we had a city tour with one of our German teachers, through the castle garden to the Lamberti Church. By walking through the garden, we played a typical german game called „Boßeln“ and learned a lot about the history of Oldenburg.
    After that, everyone had free time and could walk through the city with their exchange partners.    Read more

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    Second day at school & SUP fun

    June 18, 2024 in Germany ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    On Tuesday, the group then split into two courses: a coding workshop was conducted in the math class of 8th grade. The other group participated in the class council and the social studies lesson of 9th grade. Both groups learned a lot and gained new experiences.
    Some of the learners then took part at a game session with some german students.
    Before lunch, there was a small workshop and a meet-and-greet between the South African students and the new interested participants for the South Africa club. This exchange was a valuable opportunity for all involved to learn more about each other's cultures and to forge new friendships.

    In the afternoon we made our way to the Hunte, a beautiful river ideal for water sports activities. Upon arrival, we split into two groups: one group chose to go Stand Up Paddling (SUP), while the other group stayed on the shore to cheer on the paddlers.
    Stand Up Paddling was a new experience for many of us. After a brief introduction to the technique and safety instructions, we hit the water. Initially, it was challenging for some of us to maintain balance, but soon we got the hang of it and paddled along the river. It was a fantastic way to enjoy nature while being physically active.
    The group on the shore also had a lot of fun. They enthusiastically cheered for the paddlers, took photos, and enjoyed the beautiful surroundings of the Hunte. With the warm temperatures, it was a welcome opportunity to relax and soak up the sun.
    The trip to the Hunte was a great success and will surely remain in our memories for a long time. We not only had a lot of fun but also got to experience the region’s nature up close and deepen new friendships.    Read more

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    Working days at the schoolgarden I

    Jun 19–21, 2024 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    On the next three days we spend the time in our school garden by working in different subjects.
    The day began with a tour of the school garden, where we learned about what is grown there.

    One group was making herbal oils:
    After harvesting the herbs, we started making the oils. Fresh herbs such as rosemary and thyme were mixed with olive oil.
    A highlight was making chili and garlic oils. We finely chopped fresh chili peppers and garlic cloves and put them into bottles with olive oil. These aromatic oils can be used not only in the kitchen but also as gifts.
    The collaboration went smoothly, and we had a lot of fun processing the various herbs and exchanging information about their uses.

    One of the other groups painted pots and labeled them with specific plant varieties. Some of them were used to place them in the school garden. The other pots will be on sale soon.

    Everyone had a lot of fun and could let their creativity run wild. The South African enjoyed this very much.    Read more

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    Working days at the schoolgarden II

    June 19, 2024 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Another group of us was working in the garden. First, we dug up some beds to loosen the soil and prepare it for the new plants.
    After the beds were ready, we planted chilies and other plants. Since we divided into small groups at the beginning of the day, each group could take on a specific task – for example, some took care of planting the seedlings while others started cleaning the greenhouses.
    We also installed several irrigation systems. This was an important task, as the plants would get enough water during the holidays and on weekends.
    Overall, it was a tiring but very successful day. We accomplished a lot and are looking forward to seeing the plants develop in the coming weeks.    Read more

  • HLS greets SouthafricaTravelerHLS greets Southafrica

    Park der Gärten

    June 24, 2024 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    As part of our South Africa exchange program, we visited the Park of Gardens in Bad Zwischenahn.
    Right at the start of our tour, we were warmly welcomed by our guide, who enthusiastically led us through the various sections of the park. The Park of Gardens is a sprawling area with an impressive variety of themed gardens, each showcasing different types of plants and design ideas.

    A particular focus of our tour was on fruits and vegetables. We gained valuable insights into the cultivation and care of various fruits and vegetables grown in the gardens. It was especially interesting to learn which varieties thrive particularly well in the region.

    During the tour, we had the opportunity to ask many questions and expand our knowledge about plants and gardening. Our guide vividly explained how different fruits and vegetables are grown and which varieties grow particularly well in Oldenburg.

    In addition to the informative aspects, our visit to the Park of Gardens was also a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the beauty of nature. The carefully designed themed gardens offered us a variety of impressions and invited us to linger and relax. The colorful flower beds, fragrant herb gardens, and artfully arranged water features were a true delight for the senses.

    After the tour, we had some time to explore the park on our own. Many of us took the opportunity to take photos, collect memories, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the park.    Read more

  • HLS greets SouthafricaTravelerHLS greets Southafrica

    Trip to Hamburg

    Jun 25–27, 2024 in Germany ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Arrival in Hamburg
    After a long train ride, we finally arrived in Hamburg, greeted by bright sunshine. We took some time to explore a bit and settled into a few cafes with our luggage, enjoying the arrival while waiting to check into our hotel.
    First Explorations: Canoe Tour
    Once we settled into our rooms, we immediately set off on an exciting canoe tour. The city offered us a charming setting with many cute cafes on the water. We paddled through Hamburg in teams, having a lot of fun and enjoying the unique perspective from the water. After the tour, we were all quite hungry and enjoyed Peter Pan burgers on a grassy lawn. The evening ended on a relaxed note as we looked forward to the next day.
    Shopping and Sightseeing
    The following days were all about shopping and sightseeing. A special highlight was visiting an exhibition about the connection between African and New Yorker art in Hamburg. We had a great time exploring the city and discovering many interesting spots.
    A Day at the Elbe Beach
    Another highlight was our boat trip to the beach on the Elbe River. We spent a delightful day there and had a wild water fight. In the evening, we split into mixed groups of Africans and Germans, each exploring different restaurants. Some enjoyed doner kebabs, while others treated themselves to pizza and discovered Hamburg’s charming hidden corners.
    Light Show and Farewell
    We ended the evening with a fascinating light show and water displays in the park. The next morning began with a shared breakfast in the park before our weekend in Hamburg sadly came to an end.
    Return Journey
    With many new impressions and memories, we began our journey back. Everyone was tired and exhausted but also full of enthusiasm for the experiences in Hamburg.
    This weekend in Hamburg was marked by fun, discoveries, and new friendships. The city captivated us with its diversity and charm.    Read more

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    Major, University and Bowling Fun

    June 28, 2024 in Germany ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    In the morning, we went to the town hall of Oldenburg. There we were greeted and took some pictures with the whole group. Then we went into a conference room where the deputy welcomed us and gave a speech. We were given the opportunity to take several pictures and sign in the visitors’ book of Oldenburg. It was great to be officially greeted by the mayor and therefore to see which importance this whole exchange program really has.
    Later that day the group met at the house of a Professor who works at the university of Oldenburg. Together with his two children he gave us a little workshop about the plants surrounding a lake near his home called the ’’Drielaker See’’. He even prepared some sheets with information for us. We went for a walk around the lake and sometimes we stopped and he told us about how the plants evolved to the point that they are at right now. After the little walk we were invited to a drink at his house. Overall it was very interesting and we are very thankful that he spent his freetime on giving us this little workshop.
    In the evening of that day the whole group went bowling together. We were divided into groups of six and simply enjoyed the evening. In total we were bowling for around 90 minutes. This was a great last activity with the group before the farewell party on sunday.    Read more

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    Farwell Party and Saying Goodbye

    June 30, 2024 in Germany ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    The farewell party was the perfect conclusion to the exchange, characterized by warm and heartfelt words from all sides. Everyone brought their best wishes and fondest memories.
    Our South African guests presented homemade oils as gifts to the families, while the German students gave their guests a "Helene-Beutel" filled with personal messages and gifts.
    Thank you also to the parents for the delicious salads for the buffet!

    Overall, we would like to thank all the families who warmly and lovingly welcomed our guests and took care of the young people. Without you, this exchange would not have been possible! Thank you very much!

    We wish our South African friends a safe journey home and prefer to say "see you again" rather than goodbye.    Read more

    Trip end
    July 1, 2024
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