WALLACE High School Upper Sixth student Fiona Campbell recently returned from an exciting two week stay in Meckenheim, Germany organised by UK/Germany Connections, an organisation aimed at improving relations between the two countries.
Seventeen year old Fiona was one of 13 teenagers from across the UK selected to take part in the cultural trip from hundreds of applicants.

Fiona, who is studying German, French, English Literature and Geography at A Level explained:

"I first heard about the trip last spring and thought it would be an excellent way of immersing myself in German culture and developing my language skills. "I lived with a lovely German family and enjoyed experiencing the real way of life in the country, not simply being there as a tourist. I did however enjoy several great day trips, including visits to Bonn and Cologne. I also had the opportunity of attending a German school for two weeks and saw many differences between the two education systems.

"I definitely prefer going to school here in Northern Ireland � in Germany, teenagers simply attend classes at school � there seems to be little sense of a school community. I am lucky to be part of Wallace with its Sixth Form centre, prefect system and clubs and societies � I think German teenagers really miss out on all the opportunities British schools offer.

"My trip did however really inspire me to study languages at university I hope to go to St Andrew's next year. I'd like to thank my German teachers Miss Ferguson and Mrs Logan for encouraging me to apply and I would encourage other Sixth year linguists to take part in such a wonderful scheme."

Ulster Star
19/08/2008