Jetlagged and bleary-eyed, fifteen middle school and high school teachers from North America ogled the delicious German breakfast spread out before us in our turquoise-infused Hotel Motel One lobby. We stumbled around as we inspected the sliced meats, studied the soft boiled eggs and drooled over the pretzel rolls. This experience alone made us feel as if we were in Germany… and we were!
Our first full, official day as TOP6 ambassadors representing Transatlantic Outreach Program, a public/private partnership of the Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Goethe Institut, Deutsche Bank, Robert Bosch Stiftung and the Siemens Corporation, began in München (Munich). Embarking on a two-week adventure, day one had us jumping right in, cannonball-style, as we ate breakfast and hurried to catch a train to the small town of Kaufbeuren, south west of München, dressed in business casual. Our fearless leader, Jan Steele, hurried us along, counted heads to not lose anyone, and prepped us with last minute details. Little did we know, this intensity and excitement was representative of our entire trip.
To help us understand how Germany is handling the HUGE influx of refugees (1.3 million in 2015) from Africa and the Middle East, we spent the day with student refugees, teachers, and community activists in the small town of Kaufbeuren in southern Bavaria. We quickly learned how this town is on the frontline of the refugee challenge. It has taken the involvement of an entire community to assist families as they learn a new language, find housing, and search for jobs. Not since the end of WWII has Europe seen such a large movement of refugees and Germany is addressing this challenge with compassion, ingenuity, and education.
By visiting the Staatliche Berufsschule Kaufbeuren, with the help of Mr. Markus Schiele, project manager special classes, our group learned about the dramatic changes undergoing their school while experiencing the German educational system. With a greater understanding of how the dual training system works, we could see how the Staatliche Berufsschule, along with the Bavarian government, have adapted and grown to accommodate the many refugees they service now. Hearing the stories, asking the questions, and connecting with the refugee students brought all of the news stories, videos, and images to life for me. On a superficial level, these high school students looked like any other students but we learned that day that they carry unforgettable stories and experiences of their immigration that makes their lives richer and deeper. They represented a strength we can all come to admire.
Following lunch, we hustled into town for the last day of the “Tanzelfest Kaufbeuren” festival. On a perfect blue-sky day, we stood on the curb of a small intersection in Kaufbeuren and watched as more than 1,700 children and community members paraded by in Bavaria’s oldest children’s festival to tell the town’s history. Adults and children were dressed in period clothing, played instruments, rode wagons, sat on horses, and waved to the crowds that lined the streets. Interestingly, both the North American teachers and student refugees were learning about the history of Kaufbeuren at the same time. Just as fun was seeing a number of young refugees in the parade, siblings to some of the high school students we had met earlier. I marveled at how hard the community worked to absorb these newcomers into the fabric of their town.
As the last children’s group paraded by, 15 tired but highly energized North American educators marched to the rathaus where yet another honor was bestowed upon us. At the city hall we were greeted by the mayor of Kaufbeuren and his wife, Lord Mayor Stefan Bosse. Exhausted from having just finished hosting a twelve-day festival, he graciously welcomed us and shared the challenges of a large refugee population. Kaufbeuren, an autonomous city, has a history of welcoming refugees because of its geographical location near the border of Austria. Initially, citizens were apprehensive but the tide is slowly changing. At the same time, Lord Mayor Bosse proudly pointed out the unique location of his city being on the “frontline” and how his community has risen to the task of housing, educating, and helping these soon to be citizens assimilate into the German culture.
To help complete the picture and share how the refugee situation has been and continues to be a community effort, we were hosted by Mr. Jürgen, Arbeitskreis Asyl Kaufbeuren, in the community center where they have hosted a weekly tea for decades to help refugees find answers to their many questions about their new home. Being present and offering a warm cup of tea to drink, a small group of community members offers support to one of the most fragile groups within their society. I felt so honored to be the educator chosen to say thank you to Mr. Jürgen on behalf of TOP6. Rhode Island’s state motto, HOPE, was exemplified by Mr. Jürgen’s program—He and his colleagues offer just that to new refugees: HOPE.
How is it that ONE day can be so life changing? Now imagine fourteen days like this…….
Back home in Rhode Island, I feel as though I am a changed person and a changed teacher. Now, I am able to teach from personal experience. This greater depth of knowledge sprinkled with personal stories (some funny, some heartbreaking, and some inspiring) will help to deepen my students’ understanding of a culture far from their Rhode Island homes. With my guidance, my seventh grade students are going to experience social studies in a way that will generate excitement and greater understanding for a culture on the other side of the planet. With confidence, I can bring a human element to the world “refugee crisis” with pictures and stories from Kaufbeuren, Germany. Learning about Kaufbeuren’s refugee story will help to bring HOPE to a challenge that is often presented as hopeless.
Our first full, official day as TOP6 ambassadors representing Transatlantic Outreach Program, a public/private partnership of the Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Goethe Institut, Deutsche Bank, Robert Bosch Stiftung and the Siemens Corporation, began in München (Munich). Embarking on a two-week adventure, day one had us jumping right in, cannonball-style, as we ate breakfast and hurried to catch a train to the small town of Kaufbeuren, south west of München, dressed in business casual. Our fearless leader, Jan Steele, hurried us along, counted heads to not lose anyone, and prepped us with last minute details. Little did we know, this intensity and excitement was representative of our entire trip.
To help us understand how Germany is handling the HUGE influx of refugees (1.3 million in 2015) from Africa and the Middle East, we spent the day with student refugees, teachers, and community activists in the small town of Kaufbeuren in southern Bavaria. We quickly learned how this town is on the frontline of the refugee challenge. It has taken the involvement of an entire community to assist families as they learn a new language, find housing, and search for jobs. Not since the end of WWII has Europe seen such a large movement of refugees and Germany is addressing this challenge with compassion, ingenuity, and education.
By visiting the Staatliche Berufsschule Kaufbeuren, with the help of Mr. Markus Schiele, project manager special classes, our group learned about the dramatic changes undergoing their school while experiencing the German educational system. With a greater understanding of how the dual training system works, we could see how the Staatliche Berufsschule, along with the Bavarian government, have adapted and grown to accommodate the many refugees they service now. Hearing the stories, asking the questions, and connecting with the refugee students brought all of the news stories, videos, and images to life for me. On a superficial level, these high school students looked like any other students but we learned that day that they carry unforgettable stories and experiences of their immigration that makes their lives richer and deeper. They represented a strength we can all come to admire.
Following lunch, we hustled into town for the last day of the “Tanzelfest Kaufbeuren” festival. On a perfect blue-sky day, we stood on the curb of a small intersection in Kaufbeuren and watched as more than 1,700 children and community members paraded by in Bavaria’s oldest children’s festival to tell the town’s history. Adults and children were dressed in period clothing, played instruments, rode wagons, sat on horses, and waved to the crowds that lined the streets. Interestingly, both the North American teachers and student refugees were learning about the history of Kaufbeuren at the same time. Just as fun was seeing a number of young refugees in the parade, siblings to some of the high school students we had met earlier. I marveled at how hard the community worked to absorb these newcomers into the fabric of their town.
As the last children’s group paraded by, 15 tired but highly energized North American educators marched to the rathaus where yet another honor was bestowed upon us. At the city hall we were greeted by the mayor of Kaufbeuren and his wife, Lord Mayor Stefan Bosse. Exhausted from having just finished hosting a twelve-day festival, he graciously welcomed us and shared the challenges of a large refugee population. Kaufbeuren, an autonomous city, has a history of welcoming refugees because of its geographical location near the border of Austria. Initially, citizens were apprehensive but the tide is slowly changing. At the same time, Lord Mayor Bosse proudly pointed out the unique location of his city being on the “frontline” and how his community has risen to the task of housing, educating, and helping these soon to be citizens assimilate into the German culture.
To help complete the picture and share how the refugee situation has been and continues to be a community effort, we were hosted by Mr. Jürgen, Arbeitskreis Asyl Kaufbeuren, in the community center where they have hosted a weekly tea for decades to help refugees find answers to their many questions about their new home. Being present and offering a warm cup of tea to drink, a small group of community members offers support to one of the most fragile groups within their society. I felt so honored to be the educator chosen to say thank you to Mr. Jürgen on behalf of TOP6. Rhode Island’s state motto, HOPE, was exemplified by Mr. Jürgen’s program—He and his colleagues offer just that to new refugees: HOPE.
How is it that ONE day can be so life changing? Now imagine fourteen days like this…….
Back home in Rhode Island, I feel as though I am a changed person and a changed teacher. Now, I am able to teach from personal experience. This greater depth of knowledge sprinkled with personal stories (some funny, some heartbreaking, and some inspiring) will help to deepen my students’ understanding of a culture far from their Rhode Island homes. With my guidance, my seventh grade students are going to experience social studies in a way that will generate excitement and greater understanding for a culture on the other side of the planet. With confidence, I can bring a human element to the world “refugee crisis” with pictures and stories from Kaufbeuren, Germany. Learning about Kaufbeuren’s refugee story will help to bring HOPE to a challenge that is often presented as hopeless.