Paul Roos European Exchange Programme 2023

Christiaan Cronjé

I’ve read somewhere that travel is the only thing you spend money on that will make you richer. After all, it is widely believed that the more you explore the world around you, the better it is for your general knowledge. So, when the school decided to bring the Paul Roos European Exchange Programme back to life, 23 learners jumped at the opportunity to apply, as it was an invaluable opportunity for many of us to venture out into the world on our own and experience foreign cultures first-hand.

The exchange programme is a travel programme that allows students in grades 10, 11 and 12 to travel abroad, be hosted by families and experience life in Europe. In return, they have to host the same school at a later stage. It is a great programme as while living with your host family, you will get to experience their customs, and live as a family member.

Earlier this year, learners from Gabriel von Seidl Academy in Germany visited Paul Roos Gymnasium. In March and April, it was our turn to travel abroad for three weeks and visit three of Paul Roos’s partner schools in Germany, France and also the Netherlands. We were accompanied by the Rector, Mr van Staden, and two Paul Roos teachers, Mrl Deetlefs and Mrs Horn.

The first stop on our itinerary was the beautiful city of Prague in the Czech Republic, where we went on a few excursions, but were also allowed to roam the city freely, figure out the public transport system, get lost, but most of all, experience life and the city with our friends. From there, the group travelled to Germany, to the picturesque town of Bad Tölz, near Munich, where we were accommodated by host families. Although everyone’s experience differed, all of us had a wonderful opportunity to experience the culture of a new country, not only as a traveller but as part of a family. A highlight in Germany was the excursion to the Allianz-Arena, home of FC Bayern Munich, where we were given a VIP tour.

Our next stop was France. There we also stayed with host families and visited Marq Institution in Lille, close to the border to Belgium. We attended a moving wreath-laying ceremony at the South African War Museum in Delville Wood and visited the grave of an old Paul Rooser en route. In France, there were many things we found very interesting, such as the delicious pastries, their amazing sense of style and even kissing people on the cheek when greeting them. Excursions to the beautiful town of Brugge in Belgium made France a stay we will never forget.

Our last stop was Almelo in the Netherlands, where we were hosted by St Canisius Gymnasium. The whole group could not be ac- commodated by host families and ten of us stayed at a scouting hall. We enjoyed the interaction with the Dutch students and laughed at all the similarities between Afrikaans and Dutch. A highlight of the stay was a visit to Amsterdam and a boat trip on the canals as well as a visit to the world-famous Rijksmuseum. As a group, we had great fun with heaps of fun and laughter but the most valuable part of the tour was the exposure to new cultures. This exposure enhanced our interest in global issues and gave us all new perspectives on the world. Experiencing new and unique environments helps one gain new skills that may prove to be valuable later in life, and best of all, you end up making new friends for life. If you ever have the opportunity to go on the Paul Roos Exchange Tour, please, grab it with both hands as this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

“Travel makes one modest, you see what a tiny place you occupy in the world” - Gustave Flaubert.