Orientation 2012: Photo Adventures

Students walk up the steep hill to Starkenburg Castle.

In the last month here at DFSR, our courtyard has been full of eager German learners, our teachers are cheerfully preparing new lessons and assignments and our offices are filled with laughter from the students during their lunch break. August always proves to be a busy time here at DFSR, and we wouldn't have it any other way!

We've collected a few photos of our inbound high school students from the last few days here in Heppenheim. The students are in their second week of intensive language courses and orientation at the DFSR headquarters before meeting their host families throughout Germany next week. You can read more about our high school program here.

Make sure to check back often to this blog or to our Facebook page for updated photos!

Heppenheim Starkenburg Castle, near the DFSR office

Beginning the journey to Starkenburg

Students explore the castle walls.

Students learn and work together in the intensive German class.

Learning how to give directions in German

Inbound Students gather for an outing!

Students relax after lunch.

Students line up for lunch in the DFSR garden!

Teamwork: Students help each other with a German assignment.

A beautiful day in Heppenheim. Students enjoy lunch in the garden.

Students gather for lunch in the DFSR garden.

Students gather for lunch in the DFSR garden.

 

Enjoying lunch in the garden.

Bicycle Rides & German Lessons: High School Orientation Begins!

Our inbound students sporting their new DFSR shirts!

This week we welcomed seven students from Canada, Ecuador and Brazil for our High School Program. They are spending two weeks here at the DFSR headquarters in Heppenheim, Germany before meeting their host families and going to their new homes throughout the country.

So far this week, the students have enjoyed shopping at the local supermarket, riding the new DFSR bikes throughout the Heppenheim countryside and learning German in their intensive course. They stay at the DFSR student residency and are able to get to know one another, the DFSR staff and the town of Heppenheim. By getting to know each another, the students form a bond and support system for their remaining year in Germany. With intensive German courses for two weeks, the students will be able to dive right into their classes at their new high school!

We asked Katia from Canada about her time here so far in Heppenheim and she explained:

"My favorite part so far is that there is a connection between all of the students and we are able to become very close.  I also like that Heppenheim is so small and easy to get around and that we are able to have independence here. The food is different but in a good way- very different than in my home country but it's fun to try all of the new foods! What I am most looking forward to about meeting my host family is to see the connection between us. I have talked to them on the phone and we are both excited to meet each other!" - Katia

Katia from Canada enjoys a bike ride through Heppenheim.

Time for a bike ride with the new DFSR bikes!

Learning about fruits and vegetables before visiting the market

Students in the intensive German course

Students enjoying lunch together in our  kitchen

Welcome to our Inbound Blog!

Welcome to our new DFSR Inbound Blog! Are you thinking of studying abroad during high school? You are in the right place! Here you will find up-to-date news about your high school year in Germany, new programs offered here at DFSR, events and everything else you need to know about your time abroad. 

We are excited to share with you what life is like in Germany and the experiences of our current inbound students. What can you expect when you come abroad? Your experience will surely be unique to anybody else, but we hope to at least give you a glimpse into what could be the best year of your life!

Have you studied in Germany with DFSR in the past? We also welcome you to share your experiences with us and other students from around the world. We are looking forward to receiving numerous exciting reports, photos, videos and much more. Enjoy and stay tuned...