Students in exchange visit to Germany

Hochsauerland trip

Eleven West Lothian high school students are taking part in an exchange trip to Germany.

The pupils from The James Young High School, Broxburn and Whitburn Academies and Inveralmond Community High School, along with three trainees from the council’s Skills Training Programme and three members set off on Tuesday ( July 12) for an exchange visit to Hochsauerland.

The week- long trip is part of West Lothian Council’s Twinning Partnership with Hochsauerlandkreis. The aim of the twinning association is to promote friendship and encourage educational and recreational exchanges, whether by individuals or groups of adults, young people and school children.

While in Germany the young people will be staying with German families for part of the trip and in hostel accommodation.

The young people have a full itinerary for their trip which includes a meeting with the Landrat Dr. Karl Schneider, learning about employment opportunities, cultural and leisure activities. The Landrat is the District Administrator – the highest administrative position of a rural district officer.

While on the trip the students will take part in the challenging rope course at the Wildwald Voßwinkel, will attend a music festival in Brilon and visit the provincial capital from North Rhine-Westphalia in Düsseldorf and take part in a trip through Düsseldorf ’s Old Town with a Night-Watchman.

The students will also visit an international company ‘EGGER Werke Brilon’ and hear about employment opportunities in Germany from a Scottish intern. Executive councillor for culture and leisure Dave King commented: “The trip includes a great mix of cultural and fun activities and I’m confident they are going to have a fantastic learning experience.”