German and American educational system - PPP workshop with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung

BONN – Germany or the United States? Theory or practice? Vocational or academic? Similarities and differences exist between both countries and when it comes to education, there is no exception.
Students of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, a political foundation in Sankt Augustin, came to the AIB last Monday to meet with the 25 CBYX/PPP students and participate in a workshop comparing the German and American educational systems.



In order to get to know each other better, the students were divided into smaller groups and were given 10 different topics to discuss. The topics ranged from homeschooling in the United States to the three-school system in Germany and the role of testing in preparation for the future.
The groups of students then presented their findings to the rest. Some topics were received with strong agreement while others not so much and even stirred minor controversy.

   

Even though the themes of discussion were quite serious, the students got to learn more about them through each other's point of view and first hand experience.
After the discussion, all of the students teamed up with the AIB staff and divided the chores preparing dinner. Cheeseburgers along with currywurst ketchup were more than fitting for the occasion.
Written by Hecko Flores

PPP meeting their Area Reps at the AIB

© Lina Jakobs (Open Door International e.V.)

BONN – Sausages, beer, and a great atmosphere: a typical and borderline-stereotypical German party except for the guests, 25 American students.
The 25 Americans are all participants of the Congress Bundestag Exchange Program, a program supported, as well as funded, by the German Bundestag and United States Congress through a partnership between Open Door International (www.opendoorinternational.de) and the AIB.

The CBYX program provides the students an opportunity to live in Germany for a year to learn about culture, language and participate in internships in their field of interest, ranging from engineering and medicine to business and arts.
For the first seven weeks, the students partake in an intensive language course at the AIB while living with diverse host families all across Bonn. The AIB not only provides German classes but welcomes the students to Germany while easing the transition into everyday life.

On Friday, the AIB hosted a “Wurst Fest” or Bratwurst tasting party for the CBYX participants and their Area Reps with over 8 different types of meats along with the traditional sauerkraut and mustard.


© Lina Jakobs (Open Door International e.V.)

After their time in Bonn, the participants will live in different parts of Germany for the remaining months where they will be assisted by “Area Reps” who are in charge of finding host families and possible internships for the students.
Along with the opportunity to test from a large selection of bratwursts, the party gave the students and their respective Area Reps the first chance to personally interact with one another and talk face to face about their future expectations in their upcoming locations across Germany.

Out of the varied assortments of bratwurst, the students and Area Reps alike chose the Munich Weisswurst and the Rheinische Bratwurst among their favorites, consequently deeming the party at the AIB a great success.


Written by Hecko Flores