STS Education
Brochure gratuite

Tamara studied abroad in Germany

Tamara studied abroad in Germany

Tamara from Slovakia was on exchange in Germany.

Something that has changed my life forever!

My exchange year in Germany has now come to an end. And, although I knew that this moment would come, I was never really prepared for it. When I came to Germany, I was just a girl from another country with a suitcase full of expectations, uncertainties and questions. Today I am back home – with a suitcase full of memories, hugs, laughter, friendships and all the seemingly everyday moments that have suddenly become the most precious.

The most valuable thing

This year has given me so much more than I could have ever imagined. I have learned a lot about the world and about myself. But the most valuable thing I have taken with me is a new “home” that my host family gave me. They were my support, my stability, my safe place. They gave me much more than just a roof over my head. They gave me space to be myself, to feel free, accepted and understood. I know that this year would never have been what it was without them. And even though we have already said goodbye, they will remain in my heart forever.

Thanks, STS

I would also like to express my deepest gratitude to STS – for accompanying me on this journey, for always being a reliable support in the background. For the fact that I could always turn to you when I needed help. Your support gave me the feeling that I was not alone. It was also thanks to you that I was able to enjoy this special year to the full and master everything that came with it – with all the joy, but also with the challenges that allowed me to grow.

Thank you for allowing me to be part of something so special!

Find out more

Santiago spent a year abroad in Germany

Santiago spent a year abroad in Germany

Santiago from Mexico spent a school year in Germany.

Last school year I spent a whole exchange year in Germany with STS. I chose to go abroad because I wanted to experience a new culture, improve my language skills, and challenge myself by stepping out of my comfort zone. Germany seemed to be my perfect home for the year, and for sure it was. I wanted to learn the language, learn more about the culture and explore all it had to offer, and I was able to do all of that and more. At first, adapting to a new school and lifestyle was a bit overwhelming, mostly because of all the cultural shocks that I encountered, but over time, I found my rhythm and was able to get used to it. This is my quick story from the year in which I lived in Fulda, Germany.

My BIG host family

Since the moment I arrived at the airport and was welcomed by my host parents, I noticed such a warm feeling in them. They arrived with a balloon and with the family dog and with the most welcoming smile that I really appreciated from the beginning. Living with a host family was a unique experience. Oh, my surprise when I was received by a family of 6! I’m used to just having one younger brother around which without a doubt made this year a unique opportunity. I ended up getting used to their life, of course there was a couple of bumps in the way, but it was just part of the journey.

They taught me a lot about German culture and daily life. I got used to eating dinner at an unusual time for me or having coffee and cake with Oma und Opa almost every Sunday. My host family was the best I could’ve asked for. I really bonded with every one of them including family friends and close family. We travelled together to Greece during the autumn vacations and in the Austrian Alpes for a whole week in winter. That was my first-time skiing, so it was definitely a highlight to remember. I also got to enjoy football matches at some of the best stadiums in Germany and got to experience memorable days while hanging out with all of them.

My German school

My school in Fulda was quite different from what I was used to back home in Mexico. It was a surprise for me when I arrived in the Gymnasium and found out that all the way from 5th grade to 13th grade everyone was bunched up in the same building. I also noticed a much more serious vibe to it, in which the students are way more formal with the teachers. There was not much homework or group projects to do and that was all replaced by exams. Nevertheless, after a couple of weeks, I got the hang of it and used it as an opportunity to improve my German and learn new things in the different classes.

Surprisingly for me, I found DSP (which is theater class) the most interesting of all. I found it a great challenge but also a fun one to act using a completely different language (even though I am not good at all at it) and have fun memories with my classmates. At school is where I managed to find my first best friends, with whom I hung out during the entire school year. I really appreciate that they were brave and nice enough to speak with me during the first couple of days, and even though at the beginning they had to often speak in English, they had no problem with it. After my first weeks after I caught on the rhythm of the language, we got to talk about the same things completely in German!

Friends & life in Germany

Through my first friends in school, I was able to find all my other friends with whom I spent almost every weekend. (Shoutout to Luca, Bene, Nele and Aurora, which of course I still keep contact with and see them every opportunity I have). We went out to the city often after school or just hung out like Dorfkinder or at home. We would travel to Frankfurt or go out partying on the weekend. Life in Germany as a teenager is amazing. The amount of public transport there made it extremely easy to move around and really impacted me because I’m used to needing a car for everything in my home city. I got to experience sights that I hadn’t seen in my life, such as snow in the Christmas Markets or enjoying Fasching in the huge carnival which took place on the city. I also discovered new hobbies such as Bouldering which ended up being my favorite thing to do 3-4 afternoons a week.

STS trips and international friends

The two trips organized by STS to Hamburg and Berlin were a highlight itself. I met a bunch of students in the same situation as me and we had the chance to spend two weekends together, tell stories about our experiences, get to know each other and make wonderful memories. I’ve met great friends from Italy or Slovakia and some others from Mexico as well. I would love to take part in that again.

Looking back – and forward

Looking back, my exchange year was an unforgettable experience that helped me grow and mature so much. I became more independent and improved my German by a ton, which opened me doors to many opportunities. I am currently still living and studying in Germany, and I love it, and it’s all thanks to this exchange year in which I really had the chance to think about my future and to make sure that I took the best choice for myself. I’ve also visited my host family twice already since then and had once again one of the nicest Christmases that I can remember.

My recommendation

If anyone is considering to try it out, I would highly recommend it—it’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to explore new opportunities, meet amazing people, and learn more about yourself and about your passions and dreams.

Find out more

Giorgia studied on high school in Germany

Giorgia studied on high school in Germany

Giorgia from Italy was on a six month exchange in Germany

I spent six unforgettable months in Ottersberg, Germany. It was a life-changing experience, and I am forever grateful to the family, the school, and the friends who all made it all possible.

My wonderful host family

My wonderful host family made the experience truly special. The family, consisting of Arne, Yvonne, and their 14-year-old daughter Anna, welcomed me into their home with open arms. They made me feel like part of the family from day one, and I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to spend that time with.

Yvonne, in particular, became a close friend during my stay. We bonded over a shared passion for cooking, spending hours in the kitchen experimenting with new recipes. She taught me so much about German cuisine, and we had countless fun moments preparing meals together. But, it was not just the food, it was also the connection and the conversations we shared that made it so meaningful.

My high school on exchange

My time at the Waldorf Schule was another highlight. The school had such a unique atmosphere, different from anything I had experienced before. The teaching style was holistic, focusing not only on academics but also on fostering creativity and critical thinking. It was an enriching experience that allowed me to grow in ways I never expected. The teachers were supportive, and the students, though initially a bit different from what I was used to, became like family. The Waldorf method really nurtured my personal development, and I felt more confident and independent as the months went by.

The friendships

What made my time in Germany even more special were the friendships I formed. The people I met were kind, open-minded, and always up for a good time. We shared many fun moments, whether it was exploring the countryside around Ottersberg, having picnics, or simply hanging out after school. These friendships were the icing on the cake of my exchange experience and those memories I will cherish forever.

An incredible opportunity

I truly believe that anyone who has the chance to do an exchange program should seize it. It’s an incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture, make lifelong friendships, and discover things about yourself that you never knew.

Find out more

Marta chose to study in Germany

Marta chose to study in Germany

Marta from Italy spent 3 months in Germany.

I was in Germany as an exchange student for three months, a short but intense experience that allowed me to grow and learn a lot. I chose to do this experience because I wanted to test myself, get out of my comfort zone and discover a new culture.

Why Germany

I chose Germany because I am fascinated by its culture, history, and language. I also wanted to improve my German and immerse myself in a completely different school environment.

School and friends

At school, I always had a lot of fun. At first, I was a little lost, but the teachers and students were very welcoming.

It was a bit difficult at first, mostly because of the language, but I found that being curious and showing enthusiasm helped me a lot. Over time I have been able to make friends that I hope will last forever.

Living with a host family

Living with my host family was wonderful. They made me feel at home from day one and helped me through the initial difficulties. I loved the time I spent with them and we still stay in touch even after my departure. The best thing was their availability and warmth. They made me feel part of the family and taught me a lot about German culture, from traditions to small everyday habits.

A funny memory was when I tried to cook a typical dish of my country for my host family. It didn’t come out exactly as I had hoped, but we laughed a lot and in the end, it was a very nice moment of sharing.

What I learned and what the exchange gave me

  • I have learned to adapt to new situations, to have more confidence in myself, and to see things from a different perspective. I have understood how important it is to be open and curious about the world.
  • A school year abroad is a life-changing experience. It teaches you so much and gives you memories and friendships that last forever. Studying abroad allows you to grow as a person. It helps you develop independence, self-confidence, and adaptability. It also allows you to experience a different culture, improve a foreign language, and create meaningful connections with people from all over the world. It’s a unique experience that enriches you in every way.
  • I think this experience has made me more confident and open to the world. It taught me how to handle new situations and work with people from different cultures, qualities that will be useful in my career. In addition, having a good knowledge of German could open up new professional opportunities for me in the future.

My best advice

My advice is to approach the experience with enthusiasm and an open mind. It is important not to be afraid of making mistakes and to take every opportunity to learn. If I could go back, I would try to be even more courageous from the beginning, especially in speaking the language, without worrying too much about making mistakes.

Find out more

Matteo was on exchange in Germany

Matteo was on exchange in Germany

Hi! I’m Matteo from Italy and I’m 19. In August 2022 I started my exchange experience in Germany. I stayed until June 2023, so it was an entire school year.

I chose Germany because I used to study German as a foreign language at school and the exchange program was the best opportunity to improve my language skills and my independence.

The school I attended was very welcoming and I immediately felt part of it, although it was not easy to make friends.

The best thing of my exchange year was my host family. We enjoyed our time together and we used to visit new places and cities, such as Hamburg and Bremen. A very nice memory is the 18th birthday party they organized for me: it made me feel special.

At the very beginning it was very difficult to adapt to the German lifestyle because the culture shock I experienced was unexpected, but thanks to the things I’ve seen and done it was easier to fit into the new routine.

At the end of my exchange year, I felt so complete, and I knew I was a better person than the one I was before. So, it is obvious for me to recommend going on a high school exchange because it is an incredible chance to get a new perspective on life and become a mature person.

I will always be grateful to STS for letting me experience all this. They were always ready to satisfy my requests and to make me feel at home (the welcome party was the best way to get to know other exchange students).

To the people reading, I just want to say that you should not be afraid of trying something new like the exchange year is. Make as many experiences as you can, because they will be part of your personal growth and they will help you to understand what you really want to do with your life.

So come on, let your exchange year begin!

Find out more

Alice est partie étudier en Allemagne

Alice est partie étudier en Allemagne

Alice, Italienne, a passé un semestre en Allemagne.

Salut, moi c’est Alice, je suis italienne. J’ai passé 5 mois en Allemagne en échange scolaire.

Pourquoi as-tu choisi de passer un an en High School ?

J’ai choisi cette expérience parce que j’ai toujours aimé voyager et apprendre. Je voulais rencontrer des gens, découvrir de nouveaux lieux, sortir de ma zone de confort et vivre quelque chose de nouveau et de différent. Du coup, quand j’ai entendu parler d’un programme d’échange en High School, je me suis immédiatement lancée.

Pourquoi as-tu choisi de partir en Allemagne ?

J’ai voulu passer ce semestre en Allemagne parce que je rencontre souvent des Allemands, dont la culture m’a toujours intéressée. Et puis l’université où je veux m’inscrire a des cours en allemand. Enfin, je vis près de pays où on parle allemand, donc connaître la langue est particulièrement utile.

Facile ou difficile de se faire des amis ?

Au début, pas évident de se faire des amis à cause de la barrière de la langue, mais aussi parce que je suis de nature timide. Après quelques temps, quand je me suis sentie un peu plus à l’aise en allemand, j’ai pu me faire de bons amis au lycée. Et puis je retrouvais souvent deux autres filles étrangères. On a passé de bons moments ensemble, on comprenait les difficultés que les autres rencontraient du fait de vivre dans un autre pays.

Que retiendras-tu principalement de ce temps à l’étranger ?

J’ai évidemment amélioré mon allemand, que j’ai enrichi d’idiomes locaux et acquis une meilleure prononciation. Mais je pense que j’ai surtout réussi à accroître ma confiance en moi parce que, avec le temps, j’ai pu apprendre beaucoup et faire de plus en plus de choses. J’ai réalisé l’importance d’avoir le courage d’essayer de faire de nouvelles choses. Ce qui semblait a priori impossible ne l’était pas. Mon séjour en Allemagne m’a ouvert l’esprit : j’ai rencontré des gens à la culture et aux opinions très différentes des miennes.

Quel intérêt de faire ses études à l’étranger ?

Faire ses études à l’étranger permet de mûrir, de devenir indépendant, et d’augmenter sa confiance en soi. Cela te permet de faire de nouvelles rencontres, de se confronter à de nouvelles réalités et à des points de vue différents de ceux dont on a l’habitude chez soi. Et puis on apprend une nouvelle langue et, avec, cela permet de mieux comprendre son pays d’accueil, ce qui t’ouvre l’esprit.

Dans quelle mesure ton échange en High School affectera ton avenir ?

Cette expérience aura sans aucun doute un impact sur ma vie future : elle m’a donné le courage de prendre des initiatives et de me lancer dans des aventures qui m’auraient a priori semblées impossibles. En plus, cela m’a permis de découvrir la magie des voyages et de nouvelles cultures.

Pour en savoir plus

Celina a participé à un échange en High School en Allemagne

Celina a participé à un échange en High School en Allemagne

Celina vient du Brésil et a passé une année scolaire en Allemagne.

J’ai fait un échange de 10 mois en Allemagne. J’ai choisi ce pays parce que sa culture est très différente de celle du Brésil.

L’école et les amis

Mon établissement scolaire allemand s’est avéré très arrangeant et accueillant. Après être sortis de leur réserve, j’ai pu me faire des amis assez facilement en Allemagne. Et avec le temps, on s’est bien entendus.

Ma famille d’accueil

Ma famille d’accueil et moi nous sommes très bien entendus, ils sont même venus au Brésil cette année ! Ils m’ont permis de me sentir comme l’un des leurs. Mes parents d’accueil sont très patients, et comme mes deux « frères adoptifs » avaient eux aussi participé à une année d’échange on s’est très bien entendus et nous sommes immédiatement devenus amis.

Apprentissages

En tant que Brésilienne, la première chose que j’ai apprise à l’étranger a été la ponctualité et l’organisation de mon temps. Mais la différence entre le Brésil et l’Allemagne qui m’a le plus impactée et qui a été la plus difficile pour moi a été la météo. Je m’étais préparée mentalement contre le froid, mais les vents étaient violents !

Au-delà de mes attentes

J’attendais beaucoup de mon année à l’étranger, mais elle a dépassé toutes mes attentes. J’ai senti que l’équipe STS prenait vraiment soin de moi, et qu’ils faisaient de leur mieux pour rendre mon année fantastique.

Dans l’ensemble ça a été une année formidable, et je me suis fait des amis du monde entier. Et des centaines de souvenirs ! L’un d’entre eux me restera à jamais, ma première peinture d’œufs de Pâques. Ils n’étaient pas forcément très réussis, mais je me suis bien amusée.

Recommandations

Je recommande à tout le monde de partir à l’étranger, ça change notre vision du mode et ça peut ouvrir de nombreuses portes pour l’avenir. Petit conseil pour ceux qui partent, essayez un peu tout et n’ayez pas peur. Plonge-toi dans la nouvelle culture, crois-moi, tu apprendras beaucoup.

Pour en savoir plus

Mirja spent a year abroad in Germany

Mirja from Montenegro spent her exchange in Hamburg, Germany

It was my big dream to live in Germany. The language has played a big role. They say that German is one of the most difficult languages to learn and that's why not many people speak it. So, it’s an advantage when you know this language. I learned German in school before I went on exchange, but I wasn't that good at it. It was my wish to become really fluent and comfortable speaking German. When you live in the country and are around Germans and the language every day it’s much easier!

In the beginning the language was a challenge. I was a bit shy to speak German. Also, it’s normal when you live together in a family, that not every day is perfect. With my family at home, we have small quarrels all the time The important thing is to talk about it and to be open and forgiving to each other.

My advice for future exchange students is: Talk to your host family about everything that happens, the good stuff, the bad or ordinary stuff, it doesn’t matter. Just talk about everything. It's your family for almost a year. Talk about what you did in school, your family back home, what's happening in your home country. Your ideas and plans, where you want to go, what you would like to experience. The key is just good communication, being open and having an interest in each other’s lives.

My time in Germany was really, really beautiful. I couldn't have dreamt it up any better. I believe that I am a better person now and more openminded than before. About my host family, I can only say the best things. They have this great love. The family rituals in Germany are completely different from Southeastern Europe. We really liked to play board and card games together and had many barbecues in the garden.

Because this year was so good, I want to go abroad again, for studying and university. I know that I don't want to stay in my country, but always go back of course.

But the next step is for my host family to come visit me in Montenegro.

Find out more

Vittoria a participé à un échange scolaire en Allemagne

Vittoria, originaire d'Italie, a passé son échange en Allemagne.

Où êtes-vous allée ?

J'ai passé 11 mois à Starnberg, une petite ville située à 30 minutes de Munich, en Bavière. Cette expérience a été la meilleure de ma vie jusqu'à présent.

Pourquoi l'Allemagne ?

Je fréquente un lycée linguistique et lorsque j'ai choisi l'Allemagne, j'étudiais déjà l'allemand depuis trois ans. Je n'étais pas très douée en allemand, je n'aimais pas ça du tout. J'ai donc pensé que la meilleure façon de surmonter cet obstacle était d'aller là-bas et d'améliorer la langue.

Comment s'est déroulée la vie en famille d'accueil ?

Mon expérience en famille d'accueil a été particulière. En fait, j'ai eu deux familles d'accueil. Après les trois premiers mois passés ensemble, ma première famille d'accueil et moi-même nous sommes rendu compte que nous n'étions pas faits l'un pour l'autre. En l'espace de deux semaines, STS a réussi à me trouver une deuxième famille d'accueil : la meilleure famille que j'aie jamais rencontrée ! J'ai vécu tellement de nouvelles expériences avec eux. J'ai fait du ski pour la première fois de ma vie, ils m'ont fait visiter Munich et bien d'autres endroits en Allemagne. Vivre dans une famille qui n'est pas la sienne peut être difficile au début, mais avec le temps, on apprend à se connaître et on établit une véritable relation de confiance et d'affection. Je suis maintenant en très bons termes avec les deux familles et je suis même allée leur rendre visite après mon année à l'étranger.

A-t-il été facile/difficile de se faire des amis ?

Tout comme ma famille d'accueil, mes amis ont été un élément clé de cette année à l'étranger. Je n'ai eu aucun problème particulier à me faire des amis ; je suis une personne très extravertie, toujours prête à nouer de nouvelles amitiés. J'ai également eu de la chance car les personnes que j'ai rencontrées ont été très amicales dès le début. Ils m'ont aidé à m'intégrer à l'école et surtout pendant les cours, ils m'ont vraiment encouragé à parler allemand et à apprendre cette langue qui avait toujours été terrible pour moi.

Comment était l'école ?

Le système est très différent de celui auquel je suis habituée en Italie. C'était une école très bien organisée. J'ai eu l'occasion de faire beaucoup d'activités : différents sports, des cours de langues, des ateliers pratiques de journalisme, de photographie, d'art, de mathématiques et de géographie, la possibilité de participer au concert de fin d'année en prenant des cours de chant et de musique, et bien d'autres choses encore ! J'ai participé au cours de journalisme et au cours de photographie, ainsi qu'aux cours de volley-ball et de danse.

Quel est ton meilleur souvenir ?

Si je devais parler des meilleurs souvenirs de mon année à l'étranger, la liste serait très longue. Je pourrais parler du voyage scolaire à Berlin avec ma classe, des vacances à Berlin avec ma famille d'accueil, ou du camp STS à Paris. L'un des moments qui est resté le plus gravé dans mon cœur est celui de mon 18e anniversaire. J'étais un peu triste parce qu'en Italie, c'est une fête très importante, et mes amis et surtout ma famille me manquaient. Mais grâce à mes amis et à ma fantastique famille d'accueil, j'ai eu la fête d'anniversaire que j'avais toujours voulue avec les personnes qui m'étaient les plus chères.

Quel sera l'impact de votre échange sur votre avenir ?

Grâce à cette année à l'étranger, je me suis redécouverte et j'ai compris ce que je voulais faire dans mon avenir. A mon retour d'Allemagne, j'ai commencé ma dernière année de lycée, j'ai passé les certificats d'allemand B1 et B2 avec l'Institut Goethe, et dans moins de deux mois je serai diplômée. En septembre, je retournerai en Allemagne, où je passerai un an en tant que fille au pair. Entre-temps, j'étudierai pour obtenir le certificat d'allemand C1 qui m'aidera à entrer dans l'université que j'aimerais fréquenter à Munich. Je suis très déterminée à atteindre cet objectif et si j'en suis là aujourd'hui, c'est principalement grâce à ma famille et à toute l'équipe de STS qui a fait de mon plus grand rêve une réalité et qui m'a toujours soutenue.

Votre meilleur conseil ?

  1. C'est une expérience unique dans une vie, alors faites-la ! N'ayez pas peur, prenez l'avion et poursuivez votre rêve. Cela vous fera grandir ; vous deviendrez plus mature et responsable, vous apprendrez à vivre et à respecter des habitudes et des traditions différentes des vôtres, vous aurez une deuxième famille et vous vous ferez beaucoup de nouveaux amis. Je suis maintenant amoureuse de l'Allemagne et elle me manque de plus en plus chaque jour depuis que je l'ai quittée.
  2. Je recommande vivement aux futurs étudiants d'échange de participer activement aux activités scolaires, en particulier si les résultats scolaires ne sont pas très bons en raison de difficultés linguistiques. La participation et l'intérêt seront certainement appréciés et récompensés !
  3. Ne voyez pas la fin de votre année d'échange comme une chose triste, mais chérissez plutôt cette expérience qui vous ouvrira certainement de nombreuses opportunités à l'avenir !

Pour en savoir plus