Trip to the elementary school of Peterborough

Today we walked a path with pretty trees that took 1h 30 minutes to visit the children of the elementary school and give them an insight into German children's books. In groups we told the children about books like: das kleine Ich bin Ich, der Regenbogenfisch, Weißt du eigentlich wie lieb ich dich hab? Each group went into 2 classrooms, ranging from kindergarten to 4th grade. The children listened enthusiastically and asked lots of questions about the books and Austria. Afterwards we left the books in the school library so that the children could look at them at any time.  We had a lot of fun and it was a wonderful experience to see the children so interested in something.

 

On the way back to our school we encountered a little frog that wanted to cross the road. Mr. Bayer,David and Jakob were nice enough to make sure that nothing happened to the little frog while he was crossing the road.

 

        Caroline Dangl

Trip to the Cotton Mill Museum

 This morning I went to school with Kaelyn, my host sister. The first hour we had photography classes, my favourite subject here. 

At 9 o’clock some of us visited the Cotton Mill Museum in Lowell. At first we visited a Visitor Center and watched a movie together. After that we had a good overview about everything. 

Then we went to the Cotton Mill Museum. The museum shows how 19th-century textile mills helped make Lowell one of America’s first industrial cities. Walking through the old mill, we saw the original looms and machines and learned about the hard conditions workers faced.

Following that we stopped by Sully’s Ice Cream Stand. Some of us drank a milkshake or ate an ice cream. You have to be mindful of the sizes in the U.S. because their smallest ice cream is much larger than what we are used to.  

At the end of our exciting trip we drove to Target. It was conveniently located near our other activities, making it a great stop after visiting the museum and enjoying ice cream. I had a great time and I’m thankful for this experience.

Magdalena Petz

snow, trailride, maple sirup…

Today it snowed for the first time this year! Sadly, the snow didn‘t last long but it was still very pretty (and cold ;)).

Some of us went on a trailride through the forest today. We drove there with a school bus and when we arrived everyone could choose a horse. After we got them ready for riding we hopped on and startet strolling the woods. It was beautiful as we got to see a lot of the ,,indian summer“ while enjoying our ride. We rode up- and downhill for about an hour before returning to the stables. We all had a really good time!

As we still had time left after, we went to ,,Ben‘s sugar shack“ for lunch. It‘s a store where you can get literally anything with maple sirup (icecream, sandwiches, sweets, etc…) It was delicous, we all enjoyed it! 

Antonia Linecker 

The last day with our host family has arrived

During the day, we played a lot of games—both board games like chess and online games like Outlast. For lunch I made Kaiserschmarren with Sarah, my host sister, it was really fun and the rest of the family said it tasted good :D We also had long conversations about anything that came to mind. In the evening, we enjoyed a Thanksgiving dinner with the whole family, where we ate delicious food and spent time together. It was a really nice meal, and an especially interesting experience, as it was my first time celebrating Thanksgiving. I think the day ended perfectly, and we all had a wonderful time.

Birthday Party

Birthday party 

Today was my host s and my birthday. So right after waking up, and of course we slept in, we had a great breakfast with biscuits and gravy. After that we opened our presents and answered our 'Happy Birthday' messages . Then we went to the Miller State Park. We went to the top of Pack Monadnock by car because we didn't have much time. From up there we were able to see the skyline of Boston and Mount Monadnock. For lunch we had some delicious Chili. In the afternoon we met with friends at a soccer dome in Milford. There we played some soccer together and had Pizza and a cake.

Jakob Prenninger 

Trip to the scare trail

 

 Today some of us went to a scare trail with our american host students. A group of people organzied a scary adventure at a golf course. After eating spooky themed cookies and drinking delicious apple cider we startet to walk through a garden with lots of decorations. The garden led us to the haunted house where many actors were placed to scare everyone. Just after being scared by lots of those talented actors we entered another outside trail. In the background they played the michael myers theme song wich made the atmosphere even more scary. At the trail were a few more people that really scared us and did a great job. At the end we even got candy as a reward. It was a very fun day also because i got to experience a typical full high school day before we went to the scare trail. It was really interesting to be able to actually see how everything works there in real life. I also got to meet a lot of nice people who I had a lot of fun with. It was a total success i am sure the rest of the trip will include many more adventures such as this one. I am very excited!!

Pia Winkler

Trip to New England College

 This morning I went to school with Madison, my host sister. I still have to get used to the fact that at 16 she can drive a Jeep, but that's okay. The first hour we had law and business, my favorite subject, where we talked about shoplifting and how to avoid it. At 9 o'clock the whole group and I went to New England College. First we saw the main room where there was a huge buffet! (Much appreciated). After having my second breakfast, we met with the students from the education department and split into two groups.

The first proposed activity was sport and the second was creating books. I chose the first. Initially they showed us the covered field where they play, reminding us that "Every day is a game day!”. We started by playing dodgeball, I had a lot of fun! The second game was Kickball, which I actually didn't understand the rules of yet. It's kind of like baseball but with a soccer ball, and it was fun even though the teams weren't balanced at all (the other team had all the strongest players), so after losing we went into the woods for the next activity.

It was all about mutual trust and teamwork. We played several games where, to win, we had to join forces and collaborate. I honestly think that it not only helped teamwork but also to work on ourselves and on patience, the ability to listen to other people's ideas and knowing how to express ourselves without dominating anyone. After all this we finally went to have lunch!! The canteen was huge and there was a lot of different food: there was even ice cream!!! 

With full bellies we went back to school. 

After school I went shopping with my host sister and then we went to dinner at "Smoke House", delicious! Like every day, today too I had a lot of fun and I'm grateful for the experience I'm having! I hope it never ends.

                           Martina Suarez 

Our trip to Portsmouth

 Today we went to Portsmouth. We drove with the schoolbus and while we we're on the way Mr.Baier told us how his first time in america was and how the exchange programm came about in the first place. 

Firnthe first part of our trip we went to the beach and took some great pictures with us and the view. Then we went to york to see the Nubble lighthouse but unfortunately it was too foggy so we were not able to see it. But we did see a group of Amish people and it was interesting because they spoke a language that sounded a little bit like German.

Next we arrived in Portsmouth where we saw a lot of boats and a beautiful ocean. There we're about four sailors and one captain that was driving with us on the boat. When the sailors started the boat they had a special way to communicate (so that they know if the ropes are untied for instance) so we had to be quiet at first but then when they finished everything the real fun was waiting for us. 

There we're 3 sailors who all showed us different things you need to know when you are driving or working on a boat.

One sailor analyzed the water with us. We measured the temperature and how much oxygen there is in the water. Another sailor showed us how they orient themselves on the water. They have a special map that shows them how deep the water is on specific spots. They also have one big compass on the steering wheel. We we're even allowed to turn the steering wheel!! It was so cool but it gets exhausting after a while.

And then we had to catch plankton. We had a special net where only water can pass through. We did catch some but they are so small you have to look closely to be able to see them moving. They also showed us a lobster that they have caught and some of us held it in their hand even tough it was really huge. We we're really relieved when they told us that they will release the lobster and not keep it locked somewhere in a cage...

At the end of our exciting trip we were able to walk around in the City of Portsmouth. They have a lot of seafood restaurants and so many souvenir shops. 

Shop recommendation from Mr.Baier: Macro Polo

Marijana 

The beauty of the foliage

 Today was such a beautiful day. We were

all amazed by the beauty of the foliage.

Early in the morning we drove with our

host-sisters/host-brothers to the school.

We met there at 7:30. Then we splided up

in diffrent cars. Thanks to some of the

host-parents and our teachers we were

able go to the flume.

The first thing that caught our eye were the

coloured trees. It was breathtaking. We

went a loop and we saw a lot of great

places, like a bear cave. Of course we

made a lot of photos.

After the hike we had lunch a n d after that

we drove back to the school, where our

host waited for us.

This great day ended with a campfire and

there we made smores. It was so good.

(You have to try as well !!) We also talked a

lot and had a great time.

In total we all had a great day and can't

wait for the following days.

Magdalena Kastner

 

First day at an American-Highschool

Today was our first day at an American highschool! Most of us went by car with their hosts but some also arrived with the famous yellow buses. We were all really excited and after a welcome and a school tour our classes began. I had Englisch AP wich was very interesting and a German class. Afterwards we had lunch in the cafeteria with all the other students which was really great as well. My last block was German again. The school is very different to Austria, because you have to change rooms every class but it was a very nice experience and it felt just like in the movies. The students and teachers are so nice as well and you feel very welcomed. After school Valerie, Regina, Lilly, Mirijam and I went to Dunkin Donuts with our hosts and their friends. The rest of the day we hang around together at maisie‘s house and went on the trampoline which was really fun. Finally we drove to a pizza place for dinner and met at the boardgame night with the others. We had a lot of fun playing ‚Wer bin ich‘ and it was definitely a very eventful day.

Charlotte Feitzinger

Our first day in New Hampshire!

Today was a beautiful day with lots of sunshine. We were all tired from yesterday’s journing so we slept in to refresh.

For breakfast we'll got freshly made pancakes! Traditional American breakfast with fruits and local maple syrup. Yummy😋!

After breakfast, Magda, Lilly, Valerie and I, together with our host sisters, were meeting up to go for a small hike. This hike followed an abandoned railway track. There were lots of trees with yellow and red leaves glowing wonderfully in the sun, the Indian summer. We even saw some Highland cows!

If you’re in New Hampshire you can’t miss the local maple syrup. We visited “Ben’s Sugar Shack” where you can find lots of things made out of maple syrup, no matter if it’s just plain maple syrup, maple candy or maple ham! For lunch we got us some tasty sandwiches, but we still had some space left for ice cream!

To end this great day, we met at Lilly’s host sister’s house and spent a funny evening talking, eating and playing games.

We had an amazing first day and can’t wait for the following adventures!

Mirjam Obermoser

The wait has come to an end!

Today is the day! After having countless hours off preparation and so many people telling us that, the trip would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, the day of the departure has finally arrived. We met up at the airport in Salzburg at 4:30 a.m. and said our final goodbyes to friends and family. We started checking in our bags, hoping and praying we would see them again at our final destination. This took, for whatever reason, longer than expected but we were still able to get on the plane. After a short 30- minute flight we arrived in Frankfurt, went through immigration and then had a short time period where we were allowed to go to the toilet get some food etc.

We then walked to our gate which became our home base for the next 6 hours, and we were allowed to roam freely for the next 5 hours. At 12 am we met up at the gate and decided on our activities. Over the next two weeks we will do a campfire, visit a  university, go sailing, go to the coast of Maine and much more. We finally got on the plane and, of course, had to switch our seats so that everyone could be with their friends. Over the next 8 hours, we slept, watched movies, laughed with our friends, read a book or just listened to music. But there was one big highlight: Because we all wore our red hoodies, people obviously could tell that we were a group. So after I went to the toilet, a man asked me “ Where are you going?” And I told him that we would be going to Peterborough, New Hampshire. He looked at me and asked if I was telling to truth, to which I obviously replied yes and then he proceeded to tell me that he was the mayor of Keene the neighboring town of New Hampshire. I quickly went back to my seat to tell my teacher about my new friend and the mayor arrived shortly after to introduce himself to my teacher. 

After we arrived we went through immigration, and let me tell you, they were super nice! They opened two ails specifically for our group, we didn’t have to go through one by one but rather could go as a pair and we only had to do the thing with fingerprints and a photo of our face. We went to get our bags and we all received them ( Yay!) and then got picked up by one of the American teachers. We hoped on one of the yellow school buses and drove for two hours to Peterborough. There we met up with all of the host brothers and sisters. Some went home directly and others had something planed with their hosts. I went home directly and after talking for a bit with my family and eating a grilled cheese I went to bed. My head hit the pillow and I completely passed out, knowing that the next three weeks will be ones I never forget.

Regina Schmidbaur 

Singing, presentations and suitcase packing: USA - here we come!

As the departure date for our trip gets closer, we find ourselves in the middle of preparations. One of the funniest parts last week has been our music class, where we’ve been rehearsing a song that we might perform in Peterborough. It’s great to get prepared in other subject as well. 

In the last three sessions of our USA module, we focused on creating PowerPoint presentations. Each group worked on a specific topic about some differences and similarities between Austria and the USA. Last Thursday, we presented our results to each other – it was quite exciting!

Some of us have already started packing. The next few days will be busy with last-minute preparations, but we’re all looking forward to this adventure.

Only one more week! 

Ida Tomasi