By Christian Hogenkamp

From 9th to 19th October, a group of 23 pupils of Year 9 visited Abingdon School and the School of St Katharine and St Helen. For ten days we attended lessons, lived in British families and went on day-trips to Portsmouth, Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, saw some regional sights and most of us even visited London.

We were shown normal British school life, which is completely different to the German one. Firstly, in Abingdon School the periods are 10 minutes longer than the German lessons. Moreover you eat at the school cafeteria in the fifth and sixth period. After that you have the seventh period and time for activities like sports or academic clubs until 5 p.m. After 5 p.m. the school coaches depart to take the pupils home.

Additionally we visited Portsmouth and its historical docks to take a look at the HMS Warrior, HMS Victory, Lord Nelson’s ship, and a museum about the Battle of Trafalgar.

In Oxford we visited Christ Church and Keble College, two colleges of the University of Oxford, the Museum of Natural History and the Pitt Rivers Museum, a museum of ancient graves and art.

Moreover we went to Stratford-upon-Avon, visited William Shakespeare’s birthplace and the theatre of the RSC (Royal Shakespeare Company).

Apart from all these joint activities, we could also learn a lot about family life in Britain. Our hosts spoilt us a lot and everybody had a really great time together with their partners. In February we will try to offer our friends a wonderful time too.