Germany Exchange 2007

Yesterday (Friday) selected students made a presentation of their home schools. Anna, Mark and Sarah L were told in Australia that they had to give a powerpoint presentation on CTHS. Maddy and I on the other hand were told on Thursday (the day before) that we had to give a small speech about schools. I thought "No big deal." But then... "Oh, and the speech must be done in German".

Having no other time that day, Maddy and I spent our free time in Magdeburg in the McDonalds, writing our speechs in English, and then starting to translate them with the help of our German buddies Henning, Toni, Norman and Michelle. From there we had to "laufen" (run) to the meeting point, but not before stopping at a chemist to try on perfumes and aftershaves. I was sprayed with a David Becham fragrance, although it smelt like David Becham after soccer.

First thing at school the next morning, the note pads and pens were out again, and Mark, Anna and Sarah L were off in their little room with computer troubles. We were all so tired from the concert the night before so my work was overall not that good, and it seemed like everything I translated was wrong. Never the less, we all got our work done and the tension mounted as the time got closer and closer.

We took our places in the hall and an introduction was given to Mrs Takahashi to speak. She gave a brief overview of our schools and the handed the mike over to Sarah to get thing rolling for the young Australians (excludong Mr Pierce). Anna, Sarah L and Mark spoke brilliantly and there was only one major problem in their presentation... Anna having to put the microphone down after Mark spoke.

Next came me, so I got up from my seat and made my way to the mike. I got to the lecturn, put my papers down and put the mcirophone up, but not without the noise of the stand adjusting going down the microphone and out the speakers. I was off to a great start. I started speaking and I thought I was doing well, until all the Germans laughed for no apparant reason. I asked "Was?" (What?) to the crown and only succeded in getting another laugh. After the laugher died down I continued. I got to the part of my speech about the year 9 and 10 elective subjects. I was basically reading aloud at that point so I mispronnounced the German word for Cooking, so what I said was "In years 9 and 10 you can learn CAKE". My speech ended and I got a bigger than I deserved round of applause.

Maddy then got up and spoke her almost fluent German, out shining me as usual. The presentation ended with the German principal presenting us with Certificates, Karina's last name once again spelt wrong.

One piece of free advice I will give to anyone thinking of travelling to Germany; Do not under any circumstances pay with a €50 note or you will incur the dreaded stare of death from any shopkeeper.

Scottie