The return leg of the annual Berlin exchange took place during the Lent Long Leave. Four Etonians; Oscar Bryan (DWG), Toby McLusky (PEPW), William Morley (TEWH) and Alexander Smith (MGHM), took part and as ever it proved to be a most worthwhile experience for all concerned.
Hermann-Ehlers school had organised the usual varied and interesting programme for us and our boys were able to attend a couple of lessons during the course of the week. There were plenty of opportunities during the week to visit Berlin landmarks such as the Brandenburg Gate, Unter den Linden, the Holocaust Memorial, KaDeWe, Checkpoint Charlie, the Ku’damm and Potsdamer Platz.
Various highlights this year included an informative guided tour of the impressive Reichstag building. We enjoyed stunning views from Norman Foster’s glass dome over the city in almost dazzling sunlight. Our visit to the Bernauer Straße Berlin Wall memorial in arctic conditions was a thought-provoking and sobering one, and I was proud of how much our boys knew about the Cold War period when quizzed by our guide.
Over the week-end, boys were taken out and about by their host families who all spoke most highly of them. They went to great lengths to look after our boys and put on various trips, even to Potsdam and Dresden.
Overall this was a hugely enjoyable trip for all concerned and my special thanks go to Frau Birgit Seelhorst for her organisation and friendship. We hope that this exchange will continue to run so successfully for many years to come.
Kate Pierce, Head of German
