2_1_DiscoverGermany_May 2015_Issue26:Scan Magazine 1
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International education at its best Preserving values, taking responsibility, and shaping the future are the key concerns of the international school Louisenlund, the only boarding school in Northern Germany. Set amidst beautiful surroundings, Louisenlund offers a thoroughly international character and education of the highest quality. Located on the Schlei, a narrow inlet of the Baltic Sea, the school is committed to forming open-minded, committed and responsible citizens. TEXT: NANE STEINHOFF | PHOTOS: SVEN MEIER / MEDIENGILDE LOUISENLUND
After WWII, everything was in short supply—including hope for a better future for young people. This was the reason why Friedrich Duke of Schleswig-Holstein decided to establish the charitable Stiftung Louisenlund in 1949. The reformist educator Kurt Hahn was involved in the school’s foundation and based Stiftung Louisenlund’s principles on the experiences of the war:“Give the children the opportunity to discover themselves. Practice imagination.” Today, Stiftung Louisenlund has evolved
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into one of Germany’s largest and most renowned boarding schools with partner schools on six continents. “We seek to develop personalities and promote talents. Action-oriented learning and experiential work enable teaching aims and educational objectives to be challenged and shaped. Thereby students actively acquire and develop knowledge. Self-organised and self-effective learning form the foundation for this,”Sven Meier, Head of Com-
munications, explains.“At Louisenlund we are not only aiming for high academic performance and profound knowledge in our students; the sense of community, companionship and consideration for others as well as a readiness to adopt responsibility are of particular importance to our students,” Meier adds. Since its foundation, Stiftung Louisenlund has stood for exceptional, first-rate education. Offering the possibility to choose between the German Abitur and the International Baccalaureate (IB), 356 pupils, including 52 from abroad, currently attend the half-day primary school, the full-day ‘Gymnasium’or board at Stiftung Louisenlund’s high quality boarding school, which has a relaxed and homely ambience. “Louisenlund offers the English-language IB, as well as the German Abitur. Because of