The first two weeks of our exchange (our homestay) seemed to fly by and before we knew it, we were on the train to Berlin (and are now in Munich!). We battled the early mornings (noone should be at school when it's still dark) and slowly acclimatised to the very cold weather.
Throughout the two weeks we spent our days muddling our way through classes with our hosts and venturing out on excursions, such as to Feldberg for tobogganing, the local bakery for our own pretzel making (ours looked just as good as the professionals', of course) and into the city of Freiburg.
Our time with our hosts after school was enjoyed iceskating, wandering through numerous Christmas markets, and eating more than our fair share of nutella crepes, flammkuchen and wursts.
Each of us felt very warmly welcomed by our host families and formed new/stronger friendships with our hosts, resulting in tears being shed by many when we send our goodbyes at the station.
Every town we've visited has had the same charming atmosphere and we continue to be in awe of the number of trees and fairy lights decorating the streets in this festive season.
Our trip is now nearing its end, but despite some of us reaching our walking limits and various items being missed from our homes in Australia (beds, vegemite, and still-water making the list), none of us are quite ready to come home just yet.
Throughout the two weeks we spent our days muddling our way through classes with our hosts and venturing out on excursions, such as to Feldberg for tobogganing, the local bakery for our own pretzel making (ours looked just as good as the professionals', of course) and into the city of Freiburg.
Our time with our hosts after school was enjoyed iceskating, wandering through numerous Christmas markets, and eating more than our fair share of nutella crepes, flammkuchen and wursts.
Each of us felt very warmly welcomed by our host families and formed new/stronger friendships with our hosts, resulting in tears being shed by many when we send our goodbyes at the station.
Every town we've visited has had the same charming atmosphere and we continue to be in awe of the number of trees and fairy lights decorating the streets in this festive season.
Our trip is now nearing its end, but despite some of us reaching our walking limits and various items being missed from our homes in Australia (beds, vegemite, and still-water making the list), none of us are quite ready to come home just yet.