Exchange of Nordhorn Gymnasium held in Rieti, Italy
After a four-year hiatus, the exchange between Liceo Classico M.T. Varrone in Rieti and Nordhorn High School was revived. The subject groups of Latin and History organised this educational journey, which saw a group of 17 students from the Latin classes of grades 10 and 11, accompanied by teachers Karin Beckmannshagen and Patrick Gue, travel to Rieti.
The journey commenced on Thursday, with the group departing for Rome at 8:30 AM. The flight from Rome to Rotterdam took off 20 minutes late at 10:23 AM on Saturday, but thanks to a reduction in the delay, the group arrived at their destination on time. The journey was not without its challenges, as the bus that was supposed to take the group to the airport arrived 30 minutes late on Saturday. However, the first bus in 5 days arrived on time at the airport, providing some relief.
Upon arrival, the group was greeted in the council chamber of the town hall by several representatives, including the headmistress of the Liceo Classico, media representatives, and the mayor. The day ended with ice cream and many interesting conversations.
During their stay in Rieti, the group visited historical and architectural highlights. They explored a palace where the freedom fighter Garibaldi once entertained with song and recitation. The group also embarked on a sightseeing tour in Rome, taking in the Colosseum, the Arch of Constantine, Circus Maximus, a pyramid tomb, the Mouth of Truth, Palatine Hill, Caracalla Baths, and the Pantheon.
On Friday, the group spent the day at school. The day was filled with presentations and activities. Petra Reski, an award-winning author and reporter who has written extensively about the mafia in Italy and lives in Venice since 1991, spoke about the Italian mafia complex in her lecture. The group also participated in student-prepared films and games related to archaeology, and joined the Italians for the last two hours of their regular classes.
The exchange was made possible by the support of the city of Nordhorn and the partnership committee. The group attended classes with their exchange partners for two hours, studying subjects like art history or sports. After the physical activity, they played volleyball in the gym next to the school.
Despite some turbulence during the flight, the group returned to Nordhorn tired but filled with wonderful experiences and memories. One student got injured during a football game and had to complete the rest of the trip on crutches or in a wheelchair. However, this did not dampen the spirits of the group, who were eager to share their stories and photos with their peers back home.
The group's journey was not without its unique challenges, but the experiences they gained and the memories they made will undoubtedly last a lifetime. The exchange between the two schools has already proven to be a valuable and enriching experience, and it is hoped that it will continue to flourish in the years to come.
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