FOS Student Exchange in Shanghai: An Unforgettable Journey

Our FOS students experienced an exciting and educational week during the student exchange with the German School Shanghai. Arriving on January 28, 2024, their adventure began in the bustling Chinese metropolis.

After a long flight on Sunday morning, they finally arrived in Shanghai and had the afternoon to explore the city on their own. The curiosity was palpable as they took their first steps in this exciting metropolis.

The week kicked off with a visit to the German School Shanghai. Here, the students had the opportunity not only to familiarize themselves with the school but also to actively participate in classes. The afternoon continued with an exhilarating guided tour through the vibrant streets of Shanghai, offering the students a first glimpse into the diversity and dynamism of the city and its culture.

In the evening, the students gathered for a shared dinner at the spectacular Captain’s Bar, where they not only savored delicious cuisine but also admired the breathtaking view of Shanghai’s skyline.

The next morning started with an interesting challenge: Chinese breakfast. Here, everyone had the chance to showcase their chopstick skills, followed by an engaging Chinese taster session, providing insights into the rich culture and traditions of China.

The afternoon featured a company visit to the renowned Blum Furniture Hardware, followed by another inspiring visit to the VW factory on Wednesday. These insights into the Chinese economy and industry were extremely enlightening and inspiring for our students.

Another highlight of the week was the visit to the Shanghai Construction Management College on Thursday, where the students not only gained insights into innovative construction techniques but also had the opportunity to showcase their drone-handling skills.

Friday was rounded off with a visit to the picturesque water town of Zhujiajiao, where the students experienced the traditional architecture and charm of the waterways up close. The week concluded with a shared dinner, allowing the students to exchange their experiences and impressions of the past days.

The exchange was characterised by Chinese culture, city experiences and culinary delights and will remain unforgettable. This is also reflected in the feedback from parents and students:

“I just wanted to say thank you so much for making Shanghai possible and for putting so much effort into it. Our child really enjoyed it and he saw and learnt a lot of interesting things. He liked it so much that he would love to live there one day.”

“I would like to thank you once again for looking after our offspring for a fortnight and making it possible to organise such an exchange. Our son really enjoyed it.”

“The trip to the Audi plant was very exciting and interesting. What was really special was the training centre at the Audi plant.”

“I was surprised by the excellent experience I had with my host family. The family went out of their way to make sure I had everything I needed, hospitality included.”

A special thank you to the German School in Shanghai, our FOS director Ms Zettl and the host families for the organisation, support and unforgettable experiences!