Berlin Exchange 2026-7

Last week, German Year 9, 10 and 12 students headed off to Berlin for the first leg of the Berlin-Oxford exchange 2026-7. 

We visited many historic and cultural sites, as well as living with our German friends and their families for five days.

Here is an account of the trip from Sylvie in Year 9:

We arrived at Cheney at 3am where a coach took us to the airport and we got on a plane. When we arrived after a very long time in line we went to meet our German friends. When we arrived at the Max Planck School I was pretty nervous to meet my exchange student but when I did Paula was incredibly nice and welcoming. It was surprising how well everyone got along with their person. After a short tour of Alexanderplatz I went home with my family. They were very welcoming.

On Saturday we visited the Berlin Wall memorial where a guide showed us around and we learned some of the stories surrounding it. Afterwards we went on a Boat Tour of the Spree which lasted around an hour. It was really fun chatting with everyone while on the river seeing the sites. Afterwards we got about an hour of free time where people went off in groups of three or more. I had lunch with a few friends before we headed off to the DDR Museum. It was actually a pretty good museum because it was super interactive. I spent a considerable amount of time playing Table Football. Afterwards we went bowling with our exchange partners which was very fun. I won’t say I was particularly good or did much actual bowling but being with friends was good. 

On Sunday we went to a Flea Market. Although we spent a good hour or two there, I could have easily spent the whole day looking and occasionally buying cool random stuff. Afterwards we went to the Eastside Gallery which was interesting. Then we got a little free time to eat the lunches our host families packed for us. And after that our exchange students picked us up at around 1ish. So we spent the entire afternoon with our host families. I went to another Flea Market with Paula and afterwards we went back to her flat. It was a very lazy afternoon which I totally needed because despite all the excitement I had I was exhausted. Starting a five day trip at 3am is not the most amazing experience. I know a lot of people went to the Festival of Lights in the evening although I didn't.

On Tuesday we had to arrive at Max Planck at 7:50 carrying all of our stuff. We dropped our suitcases in some random room at the school before heading off to do our exchange partners first lesson of the day which for me was PE… All I’ll say is that it was very confusing. They played games that we have in the UK but sort of more complicated versions of things such as Benchball and Dodgeball. Afterward we got some more free time which is always appreciated. I personally stocked up on sweets and other things for the plane journey. When we returned we had another group photo and they dished out the prizes from the group project thing the day before. Then sadly it was time to say goodbye to Paula. It had been a really good time hanging out with her. I’d say we became friends over the course of five days which was really nice. But it was comforting knowing I’ll see her in January. 

Then we got on the train to the airport and headed off back to England. We then got on a plane and then on a coach, which Christmas carols were sung on, then back to Cheney where we were picked up. All in all it was an amazing experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

We would like to thank the students for being such a wonderful group! 

Dr Bown, Mrs Pearce, Mr Richardson