Tour around Hannover - Mittwoch, 12.6.13

Group photo of us inside of the "Neues Rathaus" (new town hall)

Today was a very eventful day! We did tons and tons of walking (probably about 3 miles)! We picked up the students from school after their 2nd period and we went exploring throughout the city following parts of the "Red Thread", going inside  the "Neues Rathaus", and visiting the "Herrenhäuser Gärten".
We started at the main train station following along and seeing the opera center and moving down to the Aegidien church, which was built around 1347! We stopped in many places along the way taking pictures and sharing stories. Tod has been such a great help in sharing stories with the students. He has a knack for storytelling.
We made it to the new city hall and all of the students were blown away. When I told the students that we'd be going to the top, it looked as though their eyes were going to fall out of their head. They were so excited. We entered the building and we were super lucky that they had just had a time slot open for us to take the elevator the top. We moved quickly up the three flights of stairs to wait for the elevator that moves up, inside the dome. The elevator could only take 5 people at a time, so we broke into three different groups. It moves up the curve of the dome and was certainly tight with five people in it. The floor is curved to compensate for moving up a curve. One could see up, down, and through all walls of the elevator. We were all so brave! It has a beautifully warm day, so it felt good to be up high with the brisk wind, while we enjoyed the incredible views of the entire city. All of the students took pictures and were so excited! It took a while to get back down, because we had to wait for the elevator. We made the decision to cut our tour a little shorter so we could even plenty of time to eat and make it to the "Herrenhäuser Gärten".
We made our stop on the "Red Thread" at the "Markthalle", where there were many different food vendors. Students were free to roam and grab food from whichever vendor they chose. Tod and I ate some delicious curry for 3.50 Euros! We gave all students 30 minutes to eat and then we made it on our way to the "Herrenhäuser Gärten".
We arrived via subway/streetcar and we gathered around and I passed out the scavenger hunt photo adventure handouts, which I created all in German (with a vocabulary list in it). Students had the option to participate in the scavenger hunt or have just over an hour of free time. Two teams formed to take tons of pictures (one with three and another with four). They both took it seriously and followed the ridiculous directions (i.e. wave at the statue named, "Amerika", make a "lost" face while in the labyrinth). The weather was sunny and the students had moments to relax and enjoy themselves.
Then we returned back to school and met up with their German host siblings. Tomorrow, we go to Hamburg with host siblings. We will be making a whole day of it. We will leave via train at 9:30am, arrive in Hamburg at 12pm. We will explore many things in Hamburg and then we will leave at 5:30pm. Lots of adventures! The students are certainly holding up well considering we have not even been here 72 hours.

View of one of the gardens at Herrenhäuser Gärten

Photos from this Day

First Day of School at Kaiser Wilhelm und Ratsgymnasium - Dienstag, 11.6.13

Madelynn, Nick, Sam, and Hailey walking around school together.

So, today all of the students made it through their first day of school at Kaiser Wilhelm und Ratsgymnasium! We snagged them out of their third period class to connect to them and allow them an opportunity to share stories about their first day and ask any questions about language and culture.
Students shared a lot about the invisible culture surrounding their host families. Food was a big topic (Brötchen, Käse, Wurst, Pho, Brot, Marmelade) and of course, the water. "How do I get water without bubbles?" As we encouraged them to continue drinking occasionally, we informed them how to request "stilles Wasser" or "Leitungswasser". We also talked about the wall outlets, door handles, toilets, locks for doors, and their hopes that their German will get better (and it will!). All students reported that they are getting along amazingly with their host families and they are really enjoying being here. At the end of third period, we brought them back to their classrooms and they finished out their school day.
We (co-teacher Tod and I) met with Herr Schubert to finish arranging our plans for the rest of our stay in Hannover.
Then, we had an excellent time at our welcome party at the Salmo family residence. They organized a barbeque with all of the host students and several of the host parents. It was exceptionally kind especially because their exchange student that had not yet arrived, Gunnar. We were still patiently awaiting his arrival when the barbeque started.
About half way through the party, I left with Mr. Salmo and his son Ekin to go pick up Gunnar from the airport. Gunnar's flight went well and he was very excited to have arrived. After being asked about the flight he said, "It was boring." We are all so glad that he made it! As soon as we arrived back at the barbeque, everyone rejoiced and welcomed him by cheering for him. You can see one of the pictures of Gunnar with his host family below.
The barbeque lasted until 10:30pm and it was still so light outside! It seems that the sun stays out until 11pm here! Also, the weather has been so beautiful! We are so lucky!
We are looking forward to tomorrow's adventures!
Keep checking out the photo links, I'll still keep uploading pictures!

Mr. Salmo, Ekin, and Gunnar at the airport less than five minutes after Gunnar retrieved his luggage.

Photos from this Day

We are here! - Sonntag, 9.6.13 - Montag, 10.6.13

On the flight from Chicago to Frankfurt!

14 of the 15 of us made in to Hannover!
After 15 hours of travel, we have arrived in Hannover safely.
We travelled from Portland to Chicago and didn't have the chance to have Gunnar with us (huge sad face). We have missed him, but fortunately, we will be able to connect with him tomorrow or Wednesday.
From Chicago to Frankfurt, students were stunned by the huge plane (two levels) and were excited to practice their German with the flight attendants. Most of us got a little bit of sleep, but a couple didn't sleep at all.
All of the students completed a fun crossword puzzle, which clued them into some facts about German culture and politics.
After we arrived in Frankfurt, our plane was delayed slightly, but we finally arrived in Hannover about an hour late.
Now, everyone is hanging out with their host families, hopefully soaking in the excitement of being here and yes, getting to take a shower.
To see photos, keep checking the Photo tab (upper right-hand) and photos should be uploaded regularly.

Also, please feel free to check out another blog written by Cassandra, one of the students
http://dontsaygift.tumblr.com/

The Wacky Teacher Myriah J. Day and Silly Chaperone Tod Grobey (and ridiculous Jess in the background!)

Photos from this Day

Fundraising Success!

The fundraising has been a huge success!

This has been such an amazing experience! So many awesome people have come to help us in our adventures in getting to Germany.

We have had so much fundraisers and it has certainly paid off, literally (ha ha). 

We are very appreciative and feeling incredibly humbled by everyone's support and contributions. 

Through all of our fundraisers, we have made $5015.40!!!

Through Indiegogo, we made $2117 ($717 beyond our goal); from Beulahland, we made $487; from our YARD SALE, we made $762; from our TEENS work for exchange, we made $810; and we have had over $839 in other donations made at our events!

We are so fortunate that our community has been so incredibly supportive! While we are in Germany, we are looking forward to keeping up with this blog, sending thank you postcards, and continuing our efforts to make amazing connections worldwide to make this exchange program life changing!

Thank you for your support!