This week is the State Department's International Education Week. So, I took the opportunity to reflect on my exchange year so far and my experience at a German school.
On Monday, I gave a presentation to an English class at my school here in Germany. I discussed my experience as an exchange student and what high school in the US is like. They asked about dress codes and were somewhat surprised when I shared that my American high school doesn't have a strict dress code. They had learned that schools in America, unlike Germany, often have strict rules on what students can wear. I haven’t experienced any difference between the two. At least in my experience, people at this school have a higher standard as far as clothing goes. Sweatpants, while permitted, are frowned upon in the classroom.
I found a few things surprising about German school. Back in the US, the first thing I learned about the German school system is the separation into different levels of secondary school based on ability (more info here). I attend a Gymnasium, which prepares students to take the Abitur exam and go to a university. The school I attend has a special focus on STEM subjects. In German, STEM is MINT, which stands for math, computer science, science, and engineering.
In my experience here (which is definitely not universal to Germany), I was definitely surprised by a few things:
- School starts at 7:00! Most German schools start later.
- You can just leave school if you don’t have class. In the US, school starts and ends at the same time each day. Here, it is determined by your schedule. If you don’t have any classes for the rest of the day, you just leave.
- Classes are canceled sometimes. Instead of getting a substitute teacher, the class (especially if it’s older students) can be trusted in the classroom alone without supervision. You can even leave early if the last class for the day is canceled (see #2). There are still virtual assignments to complete, but if the teacher isn't there, there’s no point in having class.
- Tests are all open-response and essay questions, rarely multiple choice.
- There are no bells. Germans are punctual!
I’m enjoying the freedom and independence that school here provides, but I've also found that that comes with additional responsibility. Classes are difficult and teachers are strict. It’s been a challenging start, but I’m adjusting well to what is shaping up to be a good school year.