Students from Austrian School visit Hudson High School
Nineteen students and two of their teachers from an international school in Linz, Austria, recently spent nine days with host families in Hudson.
- Austrian students visit Hudson Middle School German class
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Nineteen students and two of their teachers from an international school in Linz, Austria, recently spent nine days with host families in Hudson.
The Austrian students arrived late April 17 and attended school and other activities with their host students. They left early April 27 to spend a couple of days in Chicago before returning home.
The German teachers at Hudson High School and Middle School helped organize the visit.
The students were from the Linz International School Auhof (LISA), where English is used as a language of instruction in all subjects. English teaching materials are adapted by the teachers to suit the difficulty level of the students. It is a public secondary school offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma as well as the Austrian school-leaving certificate.
The students visiting Hudson were generally familiar with the United States; one student from South Korea had lived in five countries including the United States. Another grew up in California and has dual citizenship.
Each of the students had a specific reason for attending the LISA school. Ronja Katherina wanted to graduate with the International Baccalaureate Diploma that is available there.
“I think I may want to study in another country so this would be important,” said Katherina. “I would love to go into acting, singing or dancing but I am not sure if you can live on that so I may want to work as a translator.” As part of their coursework, the students are required to take three languages and a fourth of their choosing.
“The way of life in America and the attitude is better here,” said Katherina. “It is more relaxed.”
Adisa Kux commented that school is very different here. In Austria the students have a fixed classroom – it is the teachers who move from classroom to classroom.
Anna Moshammer said they do not have sports teams at their school. In fact, if the students wanted to participate in sports it is entirely outside of school, individually or with a club.
“Another difference is classes are the same every day and are 50 minutes long,” said Moshammer.
“I think school in general is easier here,” said Julia Kettlgruber. “In math, it is what we were studying three or four years ago.” Kettlgruber was interested in language, which was why she wanted to attend LISA.
Nine of the LISA students visited Hudson Middle School German classes on April 25. They shared a presentation on Linz, which included typical foods and historical places. They also detailed how their school is different from schools in the United States.
Foods they liked here included Mongolian Barbeque, McDonald’s and Mexican cuisine.
All of the students seemed to agree that while many of them have visited or even lived in the United States, this was the first time they have stayed with families.
“We got to know the American way by living in a family and going to school,” said Anna Moshammer, who stayed with the Paul and Glenda Moen family.
Tags: news, education, travel, hudson
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