Three HHS youngsters plan German study trip

Mayor’s reception, bikes tours on itinerary

By:Donna Lukiw
   Three Hillsborough High School students will be putting their German language speaking skills to a test as they travel to Germany for three weeks as part of a German summer study program.
   Juniors Christine Rega, Erik Czaga and Warren Sell, all in German IV classes, will be going to school in Burglegenfeld from June 24 to July 16, living with a host family and taking day trips while touring Germany.
   "I’m really excited about going and I can’t wait," Erik said. "I’ve been taking German for so long and I hope to expand my knowledge of the language."
   The students had to fill out an application and send letters of recommendation in order to be admitted to the program. The three students are excited about going but nervous that they will not be able to communicate with the Germans well enough to get their point across.
   "I’m just hoping that I know enough of the language," Christine said. "I’m nervous about speaking."
   Sophomore Lauren Laessig was part of the summer study program last year and shared some of her experiences with Christine, Erik and Warren.
   "There are no school buses in Germany," Lauren said. "You have to find your own transportation to school."
   Lauren also said as a guest you are only allowed to take a five minute shower at your host family’s house, students don’t have the same class schedule every day and they don’t have a passing time in between their classes.
   "The schools are more like a college where you have different classes every day," Lauren said. "So, they don’t have as much homework as we do every day."
   While in Germany, the students will have German speaking lessons with other American students and have an option of either attending all the classes in a German school or touring the cities.
   "Usually you end up going around town instead of going to school," Lauren said. "That’s more fun."
   The students have received their tentative schedule for their three week trip and are planning to take a trip to Munich, attend a mayor’s reception and go on a bike tour and hiking trip.
   German teacher Teresa Greenaway has been extremely supportive of her students and said it’s a great opportunity to live in Germany and learn the culture and the language.