Aquí vos deixamos a crónica resumo da nosa semana de intercambio escolar en Bad Nenndorf (Alemaña). Foi unha experiencia chea de actividades, aprendizaxe sobre a natureza, convivencia cultural e momentos inesquecibles.
A nosa experiencia arrancou no aeroporto de Santiago de Compostela coa emoción a flor de pel. Tras unha rápida escala no aeroporto de Frankfurt —onde nos tocou correr un pouquiño por mor do seu tamaño— voamos ata Hannover. Alí esperábannos coas mans abertas as nosas familias de acollida e Max, o profesor de Educación Física que nos acompañou durante toda a semana.
Iniciamos o día na biblioteca do centro educativo con xogos para coñercernos mellor e aprender algunhas palabras en alemán cos nosos compañeiros. A continuación, fomos camiñando ata a LAGA (a feira de floricultura e xardinería), onde fixemos un roteiro polos xardíns e participamos nun obradoiro sobre insectos con recollida e análise de mostras. Para pechar a xornada, visitamos unha interesante e novedosa exposición de flor seca.
Para empezar o día con forza, desfrutamos dun almorzo conxunto alemán na aula con pan, queixo, xamón, Nutella e tomatiños cherry. Tras o descanso, fixemos unha excursión guiada ao monte Deister. Acompañados por un guía, sentimos as texturas do terreo e aprendemos a diferenciar as características entre a cidade, o xardín e o bosque. Pola tarde, tivemos tempo libre e cada quen realizou actividades coa súa familia (bolera, piscina, xogos de mesa...).
Comenzamos traballando na biblioteca para reflexionar sobre os ecosistemas visitados e preparamos guías explicativas sobre o casco antigo de Hannover, a Igrexa do Vello Mercado e a Ópera. Despois, collemos o tren cara a Hannover. Tras ver a Ópera, dirixímonos ao Gran Xardín (Herrenhäuser Gärten), onde aprendemos sobre a súa historia e simetría, sacamos moitas fotos e xogamos ao pilla-pilla nun dos seus labirintos. Por último, percorremos o casco antigo e a Igrexa do Vello Mercado antes de desfrutar de tempo libre cos nosos homólogos alemáns.
Dedicamos o sábado a estar en contacto pleno coa natureza. Realizamos un roteiro de 10 quilómetros polos bosques xunto ao lago Steinhuder Meer. Ao longo do camiño, os compañeiros alemáns explicáronnos detalles sobre as zonas pantanosas e a formación da turba. Ao chegar a Steinhuder, embarcamos cara a unha illa no medio do lago, onde dispuxemos de tempo libre para xantar e explorar antes de regresar coas familias arredor das 16:00 h.
O domingo estivo dedicado integramente a compartir momentos e actividades coas nosas respectivas familias de acollida. Foi un día ideal para estreitar lazos, coñecer os seus costumes diarios e pasalo ben xuntos.
Durante toda a mañá do luns estivemos no colexio elaborando e presentando os nosos proxectos sobre a biodiversidade dos ecosistemas da bisbarra de Schaumburg (cidade, xardíns e bosque). Tras comer na cantina do instituto, aproveitamos a tarde para descansar cos nosos compañeiros e sacarnos a foto oficial de grupo.
Emprendemos a viaxe de volta cara a Santiago. Volvemos a casa un pouquiño morriñosas por despedirnos dos nosos amigos alemáns, pero coa ilusión de saber que nos volveremos ver en febreiro cando nos visiten en Galicia.
Here is the summary post of our school exchange week in Bad Nenndorf (Germany). It was an experience filled with exciting activities, learning about nature, cultural exchange, and unforgettable memories.
Our journey started at Santiago de Compostela airport with excitement in the air. After a quick layover at Frankfurt Airport—where we had to run a bit because of its huge size—we flew to Hanover. There, our host families and Max, the PE teacher who stayed with us throughout the week, welcomed us with open arms.
We started the day at the school library with icebreaker games to get to know each other and learn some basic German words with our partners. Afterwards, we walked to LAGA (the regional horticulture and gardening fair), where we took a tour of the gardens and participated in an informative insect workshop collecting and analyzing samples. To wrap up the day, we visited a unique dried flower exhibition.
To start the day with energy, we enjoyed a joint German breakfast in the classroom featuring bread, cheese, ham, Nutella, and cherry tomatoes. After a short break, we went on a guided excursion to Deister Mountain. Accompanied by a guide, we felt the textures of the terrain and learned to identify the environmental differences between the city, the garden, and the forest. In the afternoon, we had free time with our host families to enjoy activities such as bowling, swimming, or playing board games.
We began at the library reflecting on the visited ecosystems and prepared guide presentations about Hanover's old town, the Old Market Church, and the Opera House. Then, we took the train to Hanover. After seeing the Opera House, we headed to the Great Garden (Herrenhäuser Gärten), where we learned about its history and symmetry, took lots of photos, and played tag in one of its hedge mazes. Finally, we explored the old town and the Old Market Church before enjoying some free time with our German partners.
We spent Saturday fully immersed in nature. We completed a 10-kilometer hike through the forests along Lake Steinhuder Meer. Along the way, our German classmates taught us about the local peat bogs and how peat is formed. Upon reaching Steinhuder, we boarded a boat to an island in the middle of the lake, where we had free time to explore and eat lunch before returning with our families around 4:00 PM.
Sunday was dedicated entirely to spending quality time with our host families. It was a wonderful opportunity to build stronger bonds, experience their daily routines, and enjoy local activities together.
On Monday morning, we worked at school creating and presenting our group projects about the biodiversity of the Schaumburg region's ecosystems (city, gardens, and forest). After having lunch together in the cafeteria, we spent a relaxing afternoon with our partners and took our official group photo.
We began our journey back home to Santiago. We returned home feeling a bit bittersweet to say goodbye to our German friends, but excited to see them again in February when they visit us in Galicia.