First student exchange between Wangen and South Africa: An adventure!

First student exchange between Wangen and South Africa: An adventure!

The Wangen vocational school center has its first student exchange with the Hoerskool Stella in the North West Province, South Africa. The exchange took place from April 5 to 19, 2025 and was the result of an initiative by the South African school, as both schools have an agricultural profile. Nine students and two teachers from the vocational school center traveled to South Africa at their own expense, sacrificing a week of their school time and a week of their vacation.

The participants were warmly welcomed on site and had the opportunity to gain insights into a different school system and a diverse culture. The program included not only classroom visits at Hoerskool Stella, but also a factory tour of Botselo, a maize mill in Delareyville, and a tour of the Tiger Kloof school grounds near Vryburg. The culmination of the program was a safari in the Pilanesberg National Park, which will leave the exchange with an unforgettable memory.

Encounters and friendships

The return visit of the South African students is already planned for July 8th to 22nd, 2025. Eight students and two teachers from Hoerskool Stella will then visit Wangen. The planned activities in Germany include, among other things, a trip to Lake Constance as well as a visit to Neuschwanstein Castle, company visits and other excursions.

Thanks to numerous financial donations from companies such as Liebherr Aerospace and Sparkasse, the South African exchange students' visit was made possible. Such programs not only strengthen understanding but also friendship between schools and provide students with valuable intercultural experiences.

The role of host families

An important aspect of the student exchange is the role of host families, who offer the exchange students a second home. The experiences of host families, such as the K. family, who warmly welcomed their first host child from South Africa, show the positive effects of such programs. Gratitude for conversations and the opportunity to gain new perspectives is emphasized by many. FSA, an organization that promotes exchange programs, is praised for its excellent organization and constant availability.

Families report wonderful experiences and the warm friendships that have been formed. A host family says that they are grateful for the enrichment of a host child and hope to see them again. A chick from South Africa describes his time in Germany as great and emphasizes how well the integration into the host family went.

Overall, the experiences of both the exchange students and the host families show how important intercultural communication and actual encounters between different cultures are. The first contact with the host families plays a crucial role: If students and families prepare carefully, they can create a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

One of the most important preparations is to share personal information and interests in an initial letter or email to the host family. This helps build a connection. Students should also not forget to bring a typical gift from their homeland to break the ice and encourage conversation, such as Guide for student exchanges recommends.

Such programs not only promote understanding between cultures, but also create valuable friendships for life. The initiatives clearly show how enriching international encounters can be.