HLS greets Southafrica

June - July 2024
A warm welcome to our southafrican friends!
Follow us around and get to know the second year of our exchange program.
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  • 12footprints
  • 18days
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  • Germany
  • South Africa
Categories
Culture, Group travel, Nature
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  • 12footprints
  • 18days
  • 165photos
  • 1likes
  • 10.1kkilometers
  • Throwback to last years visit in SA

    June 13 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!
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  • Day 2

    Welcome Party in Hatten

    June 15 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

  • Day 4

    First day at Helene Lange Schule

    June 17 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.
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  • Day 5

    Second day at school & SUP fun

    June 18 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.
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  • Day 6–8

    Working days at the schoolgarden I

    June 19 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.
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  • Day 6

    Working days at the schoolgarden II

    June 19 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.
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  • Day 11

    Park der Gärten

    June 24 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.
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  • Day 12–14

    Trip to Hamburg

    June 25 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.
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