OUR FINAL PRESENTATION DAY, 6TH MAY.

Today morning as we woke up, we had an uneasy feeling in our heart .  We knew we were soon going  back to our country leaving behind our second family , lovely friends and those beautiful times we had had. We woke up early that day and got ourselves ready for Lise Meitner Gymnaism where we had our final presentation with our respective group members. We had to be prepared with our topics and speak about them on that day. For that, all thirty six of us  were divided into small groups which consisted of a student from each group ,who had to speak up about their topics and explain to the other five students about it ..
After the presentation ended, we all had a lunch break for about an hour, during which we went to the mall nearby and got ourselves a bite. Then, we went back to  the school and filled in  the feedback forms about the exchange programme and our time in Germany, away from our country and our near and dear ones.

After which we left to prepare ourselves for the much awaited farewell party at the Harbour.
We had to reach there by 7 p.m with our buddies and their families.
The farewell party was a grand success. It consisted of a hilarious presentation by the Indians for the Germans, a pictorial memorable presentation by the Germans for the Indians, various dance performances covering different states and the cultures in India , a session where we along with the teachers were presented lovely gifts by our buddies.
But, that wasn't the end; for all the students shook their legs to  peppy dance numbers, forgetting everything and enjoying the moment to the fullest. We danced till midnight and till our bodies couldn't move anymore and left for home with our families...
That night, We were somewhere in our hearts of heart upset for we knew that the next day would mark an end to our trip and we all would very soon have to bid our goodbyes to everything and everyone. ....

the day of preperation

Today  the day of the  preperation  of our presentations, so it was an early day for us and we had to reach  lmg by 9 o clock in the morning. At lmg we started making the charts for the final presentation . so we were in our respective groups and had to design our own ideas. it was a busy but a fun filled day, as all of us did work really hard but had some fun as well. Then we had a  lunch break of almost an hour . Some of us went to the cafeteria while some of  us preferred the mall for lunch.
After a really needed break all of us clicked a group picture and then the Indians left to practice for the  dance,  for the farewell. And by then eveything was done all the charts were ready, and so all of us left the school by 3 30, and were free for the evening.

Tanya Malhotra 

Monday, May 4th, 2015

It was a bright day, with nice weather in the morning! We first went to Barmbek and visited Plan International Germany. Whe we saw a presentation about education that was on promoting child rights to end child poverty. Just like to play chess we first need to know the moves of each and every piece to make any move, we need basic education to play the game of life. Plan also does Developmental work for 3rd world countries, sponsors children who can't afford it and has various educational programmes in 72 countries. 
After the presentation, the group was split into two, half went to Eppendorf Gymnasium and the rest to Heilwig. My group went to Heilwig Gymnasium (which is my buddy's school) We went there and attended 2 classes with the ninth graders. They were interactive sessions wherein they asked us about India, the misconceptions, stereotypes, how we found Germany and so on. We also told them about how our perspective about the Germans before the exchange was totally different.
Then we had lunch and started working on our presentations. 
We retired for the day then and went ahead with our own plans for the day like just spending time at home with the family, some of the people went out for dinner together. All in all it was an educational, interactive and productive day. 
  

22nd April
Wednesday started with all the students and teachers gathering at the Lise Meitner gymnasium. It was Nina‘s birthday and our day started on a good, as well as an educational note with presentations by some of the students as an introduction to our topics for the final presentation.
In the evening, everyone separated as they went ahead and looked around the city.

A few of us walked around the town hall and also visited the church and climbed to the top to enjoy a beautiful view of the entire city. The day ended, leaving all of us tired, but excited for the days to come.
-Ananya Reddy

30th April
The day began with drizzle and cold air surrounded us . We were disappointed with that . But we continued with our plan for today . All of ur reached the largest plane manufacturing company site in Europe i.e., AIRBUS Hamburg Site at 9:30 in the morning . Two guides took us around the place and very elaborately explained the manufacturing of civil aircrafts . All of us were surprised with the facts he told us regarding civil aircrafts . We were shown how 1mm thickness of aluminium plates are sufficient to carry more than 800 passengers on the double decker plane . The guide also explained the importance of bolts for the planes and the most expensive bolt available is 71.58 Euros . We walked around the site for two and a half hours . As the tour ended the rain turned out to be harder and stronger so our plan was cancelled . We were upset but on the other side were eagerly looking forward for the three day long holiday as will spend time with our host families .
Varshitha Eddula .

A SCIENCE DAY!!!

It was a wonderful start to our day. We all gathered at the LMG which was pretty far from our place. We had two presentations. One was about Science and Technology and the other was about Education. We had a lunch break later and the  food was very nice. Later we all went to the DESY. Its a Science Centre for Atomic Research. We were given a very good explaination. We had a pretty long walk and all of us were a Little tired. After this we went back home and had dinner with the Family. Later WE all Watched a Movie together and everyone went to their beds by 11pm.

Vrishali Bashetty.

                                                          DAY 2 IN BERLIN!!!

27th oft April was the second day in berlin and a really interesting one I must add.  On the previous night we split ourselves into two groups ; The early group and the late group, depending on the time when they would leave the hostel.  I was fortunately a part of the late group (got more sleep) and we left the hostel at 10:30 am, one hour after the first group. First, we visited the jüdisch museum , a highly symbolic building with every part of the architecture having some significance. Our guide (a very kind and well spoken lady) gave us an excellent tour and spoke about a lot of things, including the similarities between islam, Judaism and Christianity. After this we visited a workshop on upcycling, a kind of recycling where one uses  waste materials to create something innovative and useful out of it.  There we were taught how to make jewelry using old rubber tyres and I created a bracelet, a pair of earrings and a finger ring. This was definitely very enjoyable!!  After this, we had some free time to ourselves before we would leave to go back to hamburg. In this little time we relaxed at mc Donald’s (oh yes we’re teenagers after all) and then got into the bus again and drove back home( yes it’s no less than our home now).

Maleeha

Hamburg Meine Perle.......

26th April, 2015

Hamburg Meine Perle.......

          We started our journey to Berlin at around 7 in the morning. Ater leaving our bags at the youth hostel-hotel, we left for sight-seeing. We went to a museum where there was a display of ancient egyptian artifacts. Among those were the "Bust of Nefertiti", mummies and stunning jewellry.We saw the "empty bookshelf" memorial which was built in order to commemorate the burning of jewish books.We then saw the magnificent Brandenburger Tor (the famous Berlin gate) and savoured on some street food. The Reichstag, the german Parliament was very fascinating as the system was pretty similar to ours with a few interesting variations. Also it was the first time we experienced the rain in Germany ! It was so different from our monsoon! Later , in the evening, we went our own ways for dinner.
    Berlin was beautiful in its own way with the classic white buildings, historical events, museums and street performers. But Hamburg had already become like a home for us (which was quite surprising) and we longed to go back . So we slept to the soft melodies of " Ohh Hamburg meine Perle, du wunderschöne Stadt........."

Aparajita

Shopping, ice and everything nice

25.04.2015. It was the first Saturday, A lazy Saturday. We were allowed to do whatever we wanted. Few of us went for shopping and the rest for ice skating. Ice skating was so much fun as none of the Indians knew how to ice skate and had a interesting time trying to figure it out. Each time we skid we laughed, but when we fell...we laughed harder.
.
 It was easier than we thought it would be. When our time in the ring got over, we were all able to glide on the ice easily and were wishing for more time.

 The people who went for shopping had just as much fun as the others. They shopped and shopped and shopped, but fortunately they didn't drop. I bet they would have shopped more if the boys weren't complaining. The poor guys were exhausted by the end of the shopping trip.

The day did not end though. Few of the girls got a chance to attend a ball. The night was still young and they danced till their feet hurt, they danced the night away, a perfect ending for such an awe-inspiring day.

Niralasa Rao

That Day in Hamburg...

DATE: 24th April, 2015
Meeting School of the Day: Gymnasium Eppendorf

Today, we met up with the other buddies and teachers at Eppendorf at 8:30am. Since my buddy was from Lisa Meitner Gymnasium, we lived quite "far"(German far = India ha! paanch minute me ponchungi!) from the Eppendorf . The public transport is amazing in Germany, so it took us about 20 minutes to reach Eppendorf via Metro (S Bahn).

After the 'Good Mornings' and several hugs, we finally settled down in our allotted classroom at Eppendorf. The program for the day started off with the a PPT presentation on the topic 'Mobility' by the team that I too am apart of. After our presentation, came a series of questions about the topic which enrolled the students into a rather "food for thought" discussion. 

It was then time for us to rush to the Museum für Völkerkunde nearby to watch an abstract theatrical play. The play signified the life and afterlife of the Lampedusa tragedy victims. The actors and the director of the play themselves had migrated from various parts of Africa and other unstable nations. Their aim was to spread awareness of the tragic situations of the these migrants. They spoke to the audience of their journey for the past few years and how they had performed plays in various parts of Europe hoping to find supports and help for an adequate living. 

After the eye-opening play that we had experienced, we then walking through the Hamburg University Campus. Here, we came across the various buildings of the campus that specialised in various fields of study. We also came across some of the original architectural buildings of Hamburg and got to see the small gold painted plates that memorialised the Jews who once lived there and we killed during WW2. That was quiet fascinating. 

Then, we walked (yes! walked, walked and....walked the whole time!) all the way back to Eppendorf to fill our tummies with food and meat and bread! We had some delicious lunch at Eppendorf that had a complicated german name that we Indians can barely pronounce. Lunchtime came to an end and the time for another presentation dawned upon us! This time about the "Economy". Although we students were tired, the presentation attracted questions from not only the students, but also from knowledge hungry teachers.  

The day had finally come to a glorious end! And it is time for a fun filled weekend! Happy Weekend! Sleep long and Eat like there is no tomorrow!....and maybe, just maybe go around and do fun stuff in Hamburg, because its not everyday that WE live in Hamburg!

Ramyatara Mullapudi.

                                        Original Architectural Buildings of Hamburg                 

                                  Lampedusa Play at the Museum für Völkerkunde

                                         Delicious Food at Gymnasium Eppendorf

Neuengamme

23/04/2015

On the 23rd of April we all met early in the morning at the subway station for our long day ahead to visit a wind park and the concentration camp at Neungamme. We took a while to reach the windpark but when we reached we realised that it was totally worth it. We spoke with the owner of the wind farm about how the wind mills are undegoing repowering, how wind mills affect animal life and human life, how they work and about the usefulness of wind mills in the production of energy from renewable resources. We learnt a lot and enjoyed driving the manual go-karts as well. We then walked to the concentration camp which was in the same area. Here we remembered all the German History we have learnt and put it to practice to feel what the prisoners felt at the concentration camp working for the Nazis and getting tortured to death. We spent almosgt the whole day walking through the concentration camp and enede our tour at a memorial where there were scrolls of the length of a wall with the names of almost all the prisoners they lost each day.
This day we learnt not only how important it is to remember what happened in the past but to ensure that nothing so devastating should ever happen again in the world. With this thought in our head, the day came to an end and we all went our separate ways with our respective buddies.

Thank you.

Shikhaa Munglani

Wednesday started with all the students and teachers eagerly gathering at the main train station. After a train journey and a short walk, we made our way to the wind park. There we saw and learnt about the working of wind mills, which was very interesting.

Then, we went to the Neuengame concentration camp after some more walking to get to know about the life of the prisoners who were there. we also visited the memorial. It was an educational experience that touched our hearts. from there, we took the bus back and everyone parted ways, tired but excited for the day to come.

-Ananya Reddy

First Day in Germany

It was the first day at school. We all met up at Lise Meitner gymnasium . Had a welcome assembly. The choir had sung songs for us..Then we did few activities to get to know each other better .Then we had lunch. Later we went on a bus ride and a boat ride on Elbe river. It was indeed an amazing ride. As we got down from the ferry we took the train to the town hall. We were given some basic information about the city. Later we were told that we could do anything we like. So from there we parted ways.

           -Narne Veda Samyuktha

Reunion

20th of april was our day of departure from India to Germany. The most awaited day of our lives. 18 of us were at the aiport filled with excitement for the future but were little sad to leave our loves one behind. Before we could even realise we were already in Hamburg! It was totally unbelievable. Our buddies and their parents were so happy and the whole airport was filled with laghter , hugs, claps and also German food. The 18 of us went home happily along with our buddies.                                                            

                                                                         - Raavi Sri Kavya

A Pre Goodbye!

22.01.2014                                                                                                                                  Thursday

A Pre Goodbye!

“Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.” 

The 22nd of this month was exciting and upsetting at the same time. There were just twenty four hours left, to say goodbye to those very people who had now become more than just "foreigners". They had now become a part of our everyday lives and saying goodbye would be the hardest thing ever.

Since this entire trip was indeed about the project on the last day the various groups set up their charts and projects and presented them to the heads of the Nasr faculty, divulging into the various aspects of life in the year 2040 as well as today.

After this and a lot of group pictures (according to some we took an average of 2 group pictures per day)  the Germans said goodbye to Nasr. We then left to get some ice cream and well a last hurrah and finally dispersed to our respective homes for last minute packing, forgetting, remembering and basic chaos.

Not only was this a hallmark in the entire trip as it was the last and final working day but it was also an important day for all of us realised exactly how close we had gotten over the past few days.

“How did it get so late so soon?” 
― Dr. Seuss

                                                                      Mika: Almost every 5th person is an Indian! #TrueStory


















Ramya explaining how cinema influences Indian Culture.

A final group picture!

Robert "The Big Guy" Hasselgruber with the "Tiny Tots".

Ramya: Hey! Who ate all my ice cream?! 

TSCHÜSS!

TSCHÜSS!

 23rd January, 2015

Friday

It was an early beginning for all of us. We dragged our tired and heavy-hearted selves out of bed at 4:30am and got ready to go to the airport. My buddy Lena and I feasted on the hot and delicious puris that were made for breakfast at home. Then we drove off to the airport.

At the airport, Lena and I met up with the rest of the group. Large suitcases and heavy bags surrounded us. The Indians made an ingenious plan of stealing the passports of our buddies just to keep them back with us. Sadly, the plan epically failed.

We spoke our last words and laughed together for the last time in India, as the clock soon struck 7:30am and it was time for our beloved buddies to walk into the airport, which was guarded my the bulky and scary looking men in khaki (police, guards) .

We gave each other the tightest hugs possible by mankind, as our eyes filled with tears. Goodbyes are always the hardest part! We students managed to block the entire entrance of the international terminal in the process. As each of the German students and teachers passed the guard to enter the terminal, the loudest goodbye yells came from us Indians! Not one German did we miss. We will miss them ALL!

But, it's not the end yet! After a long…long three months wait, we must meet them again in Germany and rejoice! Each of us are waiting for that moment eagerly. Till then, it's a goodbye from us. TSCHÜSS!

Ramyatara Mullapudi.

                            MARIE AND CLARA SAY GOODBYE, WHILE JONAS FAILS TO HOLD

                                                                        BACK HIS TEARS!

                                    NAINA: ALREADYY???! NOO, THEY CAN’T LEAVE SO SOON!

                                                  

  HUGS!    

                                               

                                            HUGSS!!!


                                           

AND MORE HUGSS!!!!!!

Spirited Away!!...

20th January 2015                                                                                                                 Tuesday

   Instead of starting leisurely we began on an energetic note ! We played dog and the bone, basketball and then Kho-kho, which our buddies found very fascinating. As Bishop sir introduced these new games to them, they took them up with good spirit and displayed their amazing sports skills.
  Then Angie ma'am gave a presentation on Demography which was an eye opener as it emphasised that "the future lay in our hands". After a scrumptious lunch at school (where our buddies had the famous Hyderabadi biryani and Khubani ka meetha), we did block printing. Each of us designed a shawl and soon the fashion designing lab was soon filled with vibrant colours. All of students proved to be very creative and full of ideas.  At about four , all of us , stuffed in cars went to Vrishali'a house to celebrate Louisa's sixteenth birthday . We also practiced for the dance for the farewell party there. As the Germans swayed elegantly to their music, the Indians moved to the frisky desi beats. Then all of us dispersed to our own houses . It was a lovely but hectic due to the physical activities. And as usual the day ended with a smile but also with a sigh as to gulp the fact that there were just two days left for our friends to leave.

Jonas and Louisa working on their masterpiece!!

The eye opener!

Run for your lives!!!- kho kho

The spectators ..

EXPLORING THE CULTURE!!

The 19th of January started with Ms.Faiza Hasan explaining about the ethnic art. She told us about the Madhubani paintings, Warli paintings, and tolu bommalata. She further gave us a presentation on it which was loved by all of us, truly.   We then  had to do an activity where we had to make either a warli painting or a madhubani painting on a piece of paper.  That activity was filled with lots of fun and everyone did it with enthusiasm . Next,We left for Chowmahalla palace. The lunch was served to us in the bus itself. 

Having reached Chowmahalla Palace or Chowmahallat (4 Palaces), which is a palace of the Nizams of Hyderabad state, we all went across the place and every bit of the palace fascinated each one of us. From the courtyard, Photo gallery, clothes worn by the king and queen, roof top, the antique furniture, to the clock tower was beautiful. After  viewing the gorgeous palace we went back to the school by the bus. After reaching the school our teachers gave us the instructions for the next day and everybody dispersed looking forward to the coming days..  

Written by,

Vrishali Bashetty

The relaxing photoshoot day!!

18th January, 2015.                                                                                    Sunday

After a tiring (but fun filled) trip to Srisailam, today, the 18^th of January was a day when everyone slept in for a long time and woke up in the afternoon!! As it was a holiday, many of us just lazed around while some of us went out to places like the Salarjung museum and the zoological park. Then at four in the evening, all of us met at Tanya Malhotra’s  home and did an incredible photo shoot for the new ‘rent-a-dress’  store called “Wrapd” started by Tanya’s mother Mrs. Ritu Malhotra. The photo shoot was totally enjoyable, amusing and fun!! All of us dressed up in traditional, dazzling and bewitching clothes which we didn’t feel like removing! (But we had to anyway). Beautiful snaps of all Indians and Germans were taken after which we changed our clothes and ate!!  In the end we cut a cake for the birthday of three students- Louisa, Mika and Niralasa, after which we relaxed for some time and left for our respective homes.

All beautifully dressed up! 

The really happy birthdays!!
Maleeha Fatima
XI B
Nasr School