BLACK FOREST ADVENTURE

For the past couple of weeks, I have been lucky enough to attend Birklehof Internat Schule in the Black Forest region of Germany. It has been lovely to escape the icy Tasmanian winters to go #eurosummering with most days so far being 28 degrees or more.

Whilst here, I’ve had a number of adventures from big Alumni events to my first visit to the school club, though the most memorable was accidentally signing up for a 18km interschool race around a lake. The lake was probably the biggest lake in the world, or at least it definitely felt like that whilst running, especially in the 32 degree weather, but the swim afterwards made the run all worth it.

Birklehof operates very differently to Scotch Oakburn, having very different rules to us. With only 250 students from Year 5 to 12 (with 210 of those boarders) it is a very small community, with everyone knowing everyone. The school’s main gathering time is lunch, a formal provided meal everyday to both internal and external students. You don’t sit until a bell rings and you don’t leave until a bell rings.

In other ways, Birklehof is more relaxed than here, for example, having no uniform. Classes are a lot more relaxed and most teachers live on campus. The campus has many boarding houses which you can visit and you can come and go from the school as you please.

Something that I have really enjoyed in the European countries I’ve visited so far is the public transport. Most places are accessible by bus, train or tram and it is very easy to go between smaller towns and cities. It’s very cost effective, time saving, as well as environmentally friendly. Another thing I’ve loved is all the desserts like apple strudel and other very yummy dishes. In the coming weeks I am leaving for a two-week hike in Norway with some people in my class, which I am looking forward to. So far, I’ve really enjoyed my exchange, and it is flying by.

Olive Kwan
Year 10 Student