This Saturday almost 80 students headed out to cologne to watch their first FC Köln game. After a crowded train and tram ride, everyone finally made it into the stadium filled with yelling fans and of course the team mascot the Billy Goat Hennes VIII. Because of Cologne's dawning relegation the fans spirits were high, constantly chanting and singing and pushing them to win. Once FC Köln scored the first goal students got to see true excitement.
The stadium roared with applause singing and yelling in German. We attempted to keep up with the many German chants and were able to follow along with the few Carnival songs they learned back in February. After the score of the first goal fans went crazy for the rest of the game, high with the hope of winning. Stuttgart managed to score a goal in the second half, ending the game in a tie. Even though Cologne didn’t win, the students still got to experience the excitement of a real Bundesliga game.
After recovering from an thrilling day of watching football, students were ready to run in the Bonn Marathon. All schools studying at the AIB had participants in the Relay, Half-Marathon, and Marathon. The day began with the half marathon with runners competing the 13 mile run, in just about two hours. After these runners were finished they jumped to the sidelines to cheer on the relay runners and marathon runners. The AIB had 8 relay teams consisting of students from LMU, Texas A&M, Penn State, as well as student workers and staff of the AIB. Every one pushed themselves and had a great time crossing the finish line together. After the marathon students headed back to the AIB for food and celebration. The AIB raised about 1700$ euros for their charities, the Marol Academy, Brazos Valley Food Bank, The Red Cross, and THON. The training that all the students put into these races was well worth razing that much money for a good cause! Thanks everyone who contributed to this great day and especially thanks to family and friends who helped raising so much money!
Written by Callie Child (Participant New Europe Program Spring 2012)
