Today was our first day of classes here at Feldbergschule, and we spent the day diving in to all variety of subjects in German. Some attended classes on finance or economics, math or German; sometimes even English. After 4 blocks of normal classes (and maybe a Pausenbrot squished in the middle there) it was time for a presentation. A representative from International Justice Mission (IJM) explained to us and 3 English classes their mission of ending slavery worldwide. IJM is a group of lawyers, activists, counselors, and volunteers who work through on-the-ground operations to strengthen justice systems protecting impoverished people from slavery, to rescue and resettle those enslaved, and to bring enslavers to justice. They also lobby governments and push for anti-slavery policies worldwide. After that, a few more hours of lessons: I shadowed a wonderfully energetic biology class discussing chemical reactions in the mitochondria.
Germany is a truly beautiful country. After dinner, I walked around the local forest with my partner’s brother, and went up in the nearby lookout tower for the second time. The view was marvelous today, with no fog and sunlight bleeding in from behind the clouds, lighting the Königstein castle ruins and proving a beautiful background. The Frankfurt skyline was clearly visible in the slanting light of a sinking sun. The forest itself was beautiful: flowers, immense old trees, and the fresh smell of mountain air.
Lastly, I’d like to point out the little things that really make the exchange. Our exchange is the conversations over the dinner table, the short walks through the town, the storytelling and sharing of cultures. Our exchange is built on homemade marmalade and warm oatmeal, on the radio on the way home and the view off the balcony, on an extra trip to the supermarket and on the sunlight of a warm day. Although blogs may capture the big moments, it’ll be the little things we’ll always remember, and I’m glad of them. ~Augustus