Austrian Students Discover The Land of the Free, April 2013
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- Zuletzt aktualisiert am Donnerstag, 05. September 2013 21:01
- Geschrieben von Josef Schönegger
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Vom 14. bis 25. April 2013 verbrachte die Lateingruppe der 6a unter der Leitung von Mag. Maria Riegler und Mag. Anita Auer einen wundervollen, erlebnisreichen und auch lehrreichen Sprachaufenthalt im Silver State Nevada. Der Besuch in den USA setzte den Startpunkt unseres Austauschprojektes mit der McQueen High School in Reno.
Als wir uns am Sonntag, den 14. April, um 3.30 auf dem Weg zum Flughafen Wien Schwechat machten, konnten wir unsere Vorfreude und Spannung auf das, was wir in den USA erleben würden, nicht mehr verbergen. Amerika war für die meisten noch eine große Unbekannte.
Bereits nach einer rund 24-stündigen Anreise wurden unsere Erwartungen übertroffen. Mit so einem herzlichen Empfang unserer Gasteltern und Gastgeschwister hätte wohl niemand gerechnet. Von nun an sollte die Reise mehr oder weniger individuell verlaufen. Einzeln bei unseren "neuen" Familien untergebracht, konnten wir den American Way of Life so richtig kennen lernen. Auch der für jeden individuell gestaltete Stundenplan und Besuch der High School bot die ideale Möglichkeit, unsere Sprachkenntnisse auf Vordermann zu bringen.
Die folgenden Ausschnitte aus unseren BLOGS sollen ein paar Eindrücke unserer unvergesslichen Sprachwoche vermitteln.
4/14/2013
Just arrived in the US!
During the flight, I slept most of the time. When I was awake I always had to think of my expectations which I had concerning Reno and the people who live there. I was totally excited to meet my host family and all the other American students who will be going to visit Austria in June.
When we safely arrived in Reno I was really happy because it was such a long flight and I was pleased to walk around again.
However, we left the plane and walked downstairs. Nearly everybody was tired and totally exhausted due to the long flight. We walked on to Mr. Case, the German teacher of the American students. He asked us if we were the students from Austria. By the way, I had not noticed him before because I was too tired. And then I saw the American students, standing in a big hall, waiting for us. They screamed when they saw us and nearly each of them had a poster with the name of their host students on it. I loved the poster that Sabrina had made for me.
It was fantastic to meet Sabrina and her parents! They welcomed me in such lovely way and I felt totally welcome.
We put all my stuff in their car and then we drove to "Wendy's", a fast- food restaurant. We went to the drive thru and they bought me a burger, something to drink and a frozen yogurt. I liked it!
When we arrived at their home, Dave, Sabrina's father told me that I would maybe hear coyotes during the night. I was surprised because I had not thought that they had coyotes in this area. Furthermore, he told me that I probably got to see a lot of bunnies, too.
After such a long day I was really relieved to go to bed.
Victoria Zitterer, 6a
4/15/2013 FIRST DAY IN AN AMERICAN SCHOOL
The first thing I was thinking of when I got into the huge school building was that it`s like in all the American films. (->That's what I think most of the time here.) Many people, everybody has their own style, groups, the nice classrooms with their special desks, the teachers, the lockers and lots of other things which are special for an American school. Ah yes, I also saw the serious sheriff our teachers were talking about. ;)
Thank God we were supposed to go to classes with our host siblings for the first day. Otherwise I would have been anywhere, and NOT where I should have been. The people here are all so friendly. (Even friendlier than in Austria.) They are all open-minded and talk to you. - Same for the teachers. My favourite teacher is Mrs. Tuso; she's really friendly and funny. Ah yes, before I forget, I LOVE the American school benches, they feel so comfortable to me.
The school system is so different to the Austrian's. But I think, if I had to choose between them, I would choose the American school system.
Alright guys, have to go now.
Julia
Julia Hönigl, 6a
4\17\2013 EVERYDAY LIFE
I`M SO GLAD HAVING THE HOST FAMILY I HAVE. Katja, my "sister", is sooo wonderful. I like her so much. My "parents" ,Leslie and Luce, are also such lovely people. Even the dogs are the nicest I have ever seen. Leslie calls me her 4th daughter, what an honor.
Today I went shopping with Leslie, because Katja has been at a conference for leadership for the whole weekend since Thursday. Shopping in America is great - I found so many things, I just love it.
Now back to my family. The relationship between me and Katja is really good, we can talk so much. Ah yes, yesterday I made an American pie with my "mum", it was so delicious. By the way , Leslie is a very good cook :I also like Jeanna, Katja's sister. She's like the whole family, open-minded and these things. Their house looks so typical American, and their street looks like the one in "Malcom In the Middle". Ah yes, and on Saturday I will meet Katja's oldest sister Kelsey.
I also learnt some new words and phrases from them.
cookie head - a smart person mothball - to keep moths away sleepy - tired chilly - kind of cold robby elbows - if you want to get to know a wealthy person drag queen - a man who dresses and acts like a woman snordy - sniffy pillow fight - Kissenschlacht picky - you don't like everything haunted - if sth is haunted, that means that there might be ghosts grump/grumpy -if you don't get enough sleep, you are grumpy wallflowers - people who don't interact Bump - sth to make the cars drive slowly
I haven't learned as many words as I would learn at school, but I learnt lots of things about the American culture, which I would not learn at school. This trip also makes me feel more confident and I can talk in a foreign language as if it were my native language.
I receive lots of benefits from this exchange!
Alright, nice day, Julia
Julia Hönigl, 6a
