Reopening of our School in Bad Schussenried9. July 2021
Last Sunday, July 4, 2021 the time had finally come: After almost ten months, we were finally able to reopen the gates to our institute in Bad Schussenried and welcome new students to our German courses.
School operations were temporarily suspended in September 2020 due to the corona pandemic. However, we did not sit around idly during this time, but took the opportunity for various renovation work. For example, our classrooms were expanded, the WIFI reception was expanded, the sports hall was renovated, room doors were renewed, new floors were laid and much more. Hence, our students can look forward to modern equipment in which learning and leisure activities are even more fun than before!
A total of 135 students from 19 different countries arrived over the weekend to learn German together at the Humboldt-Institut this summer. About half of the participants were brought to the boarding school by their parents. For the other half, the Humboldt-Institut organized a transfer service from the airport or train station to the institute. Our drivers picked them up at the agreed meeting point and brought them safely to Bad Schussenried in Humboldt’s own vehicles.
Meeting again and learning together
Some students already got acquainted at our school last year and decided to meet again at the Humboldt-Institut this summer. We did not realize that you can read so much authentic joy and happiness in “half a face” of a person whose actual smile is covered by a mask. In fact, there were dances of joy, exclamations of happiness and shining eyes when the friends saw each other again. Mirea, a student from Spain, said: “We are like one big family!”
After the arrival, a Corona rapid test took place in the gym. Afterwards, the students were allowed to move into their rooms, unpack and settle in. Shortly after that, they were brought to their so-called “family group”, where they were able to get to know their group members during various leisure activities. Sports activities were offered and icebreaker games ensured that the group members would come together. In the evening, an extensive introduction took place during which the rules, processes and structure of the summer course were explained in detail.
Safety first!
A multi-layered hygiene concept has been designed for all of our course locations in order to keep the risk of infection as low as possible. The safety of all participants and employees is our top priority. In addition to the hygiene concept, in Bad Schussenried we opted for the family model, as we did last year. This enables us to reduce the number of contact persons. All students already completed an online placement test before the course began. According to the results, we have divided them into so-called “family groups”, each consisting of approx. 25-35 people. The families are considered closed groups for the duration of the courses. Together the members attend German classes, have meals and take part in the leisure program. They are also accommodated in the boarding school with another member of their family group. The nice thing about the group is the particularly intimate atmosphere, which allows a very fast integration and strengthens the community spirit immensely.
The whole team from Bad Schussenried could hardly wait for the reopening. The head of the institute Kathrin said: “We are all waiting for school to finally start again today. We’re really looking forward to our students and to having a great time.” To celebrate the day, she was even dressed in the Humboldt colors. Her radiating smile clearly told every single student that they are wholeheartedly welcome at her institute!
We wish all course participants and employees a successful and wonderful summer course in Bad Schussenried!