Bericht unseres nepalesischen Projektleiters "A Tour to Frankfurt - City of Wonders -"

After completing and bidding goodbye to the academic year 2021/2022 and welcoming the new academic year 2022/023, I planned to gain some information and idea about teaching learning paradigm of German educational system. For this I was in regular touch with Ursula Ochs, the chairwoman of Direkt Hilfe Nepal e.V. who supports 41 poor Nepalese children, especially girls with the motto “to empower girls to get a quality education”, at The Old Capital Secondary School where I am chairing as the principal. I also intended to unwind and release by taking a trip through one of the most diverse and richly cultured countries in Europe.

I spent almost 20 days in this beautiful country travelling from one amazing area to another. There were so many sights to see, foods to eat and fun activities to try, I only experienced a fraction of them, but it was an incredible experience all the same. In this article, I wish to share the story of my travels and adventures.

After eleven hours of journey in the air, when the plane reached Frankfurt Airport, I became amused to see Germany's beauty, especially in Frankfurt city. Frankfurt on the Main is one of the bigger cities in the country, with 750,000 inhabitants and is seen as the economic centre, as the natives playfully call it “Mainhattan”. The beautiful city has become host of many international programs and events. After claiming my baggage, I contacted my hosts, the chairwoman Ursula Ochs and her husband, as they were waiting for me outside. I was heartily welcomed by Mr. Thomas and Mrs. Ursula. Then I got into their car and reached their home at about 9 pm on 10^th of June.

The first thing I noticed about Germany was its people. The Germans are very kind, humble, helpful and polite. I perceived this during the conversations and asking for help from them. Being kind and friendly as well as being ready to help someone in need are the specialties of German people. This may be a cliché statement you hear from most travellers regarding the country they travelled to. However, I'm saying so, because of that I've witnessed among the citizen themselves, rather than how they treated me as a

visitor; little things I have witnessed among the people makes me believe that German people are truly a wonderful bunch. The people are like a hot bowl soup on a rainy day – always warm and soothing. Conversation strikes up as naturally as if you have known each other for years. All the people I met during my stay made me feel at home and my journey an unforgettable one.

As my visiting has been organized and supported by DHN, the itinerary has been already fixed. On the very first day, it was Saturday morning, we had our breakfast then I visited a tower in Hofheim called “Meister Turm.” We walked up the hill about 10 minutes & reached the tower along with Thomas and Ursula. I climbed onto the very high tower about 300 feet tall. From the tower I enjoyed the view & observed many places from the top. I felt little scared while climbing the metal stairs. Then we came back home and enjoyed the welcome dinner. I enjoyed the Nepalese meal there. The following day, I woke up early and we had breakfast. The Ochs family took me to Wiesbaden. Here is a big castle and garden (Biebrich Palace). Near by the ancient castle there is the beautiful river Rhine. We had some pictures taken there and I watched many boats sailing on the river. Then we went to Neroberg. We took the water-run train and visited the ancient church there. It was also a very exotic place.

As per my pre-planned schedule, I got an opportunity of visiting Montessori Center Hofheim. I spent three days with the teachers and students at Montessori School which was my main goal of visiting Germany. On the 13^th of June, I was dropped at the school by Ursula. I waited some time at the secretary's and soon Ms Ulrike Molter-Nawrath, the principal, came to welcome me and I was taken to the office room. I felt the deep hospitality and was heartily welcomed by the other staff. Then, after I was taken to the kindergarten block, I got the opportunity of observing all the rooms, labs and got information about the Montessori pedagogy system. After taking part in a few Montessori-classes, I was offered a delicious lunch in a big hall with all the staff. Immediately after the lunch I was received by two smart students of grade (5,6,7) and was taken to their classroom. where me and my work in Nepal were introduced. The room is well equipped with good furniture and teaching materials. The classroom management is of high standard and the number of students is also medium. It is not like in Nepal, where a teacher has to teach more than 40 students in a normal classroom.

The two more visitation days at Montessori were really fruitful as well. I gained lot of information and ideas from the children. I had some group photograph taken during my many wonderful interactions with the teachers which were especially advantageous for me. We talked about the possible collaboration & partnership with Montessori school and Old Capital School in the days to come. I found that Montessori Center Hofheim is a committed and professional team of educators who welcome all families and children to their service. It aims to make each child's experience at their service fun and educational, the teams are committed to developing strong relationships & bonds with the children and families in their care.

In conclusion, Montessori Center Hofheim is seeking to establish a supportive learning environment that bridges the connection between each child's home, future career, the centre and the wider community, to provide a complete and perfect education and care program.

On 20th June, Monday, as per my schedule, I went to visit the governmental school “IGS Herrstein – Rhaunen”. The arrangement for the class observation had been made with the English teacher Katharina Ochs, who is also the vice chairwoman of DHN. She took me in grade five, where she taught 28 students. I found the classroom well-furnished and well equipped. I especially noticed that she used a smart board for the lesson. It was the first time I witnessed how it is used for teaching. Most of the Nepalese schools don't have it. She handled the class very perfectly. I was impressed with her way of teaching. To my surprise there were two teachers in a classroom which is very rare in Nepalese context. Laptop, projects, smart board, greenboard and many other charts and posters related to children's lesson have really added perfection and beauty in the classroom. The children´s reports, performance projects and their overall activities have been duly filed and recorded. I noticed that this is very useful information for their parents to learn and understand better about their children. I got to observe a class of senior secondary A-levels and interacted with them about Nepal and their hobbies which was really pleasant to both of us. Ms Katharina introduced me to the vice principal Mr Sascha Fritz there. I was offered lunch and we had very delicious lunch in a local restaurant in that historic town. I was honoured by the warmth hospitality of Ms Katharina and the vice principal.

I also got to observe Cretzschmar School, a governmental school in Sulzbach. What I found there is the classrooms are well-decorated, furnished & well equipped. There is no pressure on the children from the side of the teachers, children can learn things better on their own pace. I also came to know that teachers prepare the children's portfolio and profile in the process of their learning which is the mirror to their parents and guardian. Ms Sabine Püschel has arranged this opportunity for me of observing two primary classes in that school. After classes I got introduced to the principal and other staff. I was very much impressed with Ms Sabine and her classroom teaching. More or less, I realize that the Nepalese educational system is similar to this. Children are free, interactive and under discipline they have no fear in the learning processes, roleplay, teamwork, group work are the key teaching technique which I found in German schools. Similarly, teachers are well prepared and equipped with plan and teaching materials before they enter into the class which is rarely found in most of the Nepalese schools.

Some other beautiful places I visited are the city of gems, Idar-Oberstein, and the Niederwald monument in Rüdesheim. In the city of gems, I went to visit a mine, which was very old, precious and full of valuable gemstones. It was really amazing. During my stay, I visited many ancient palaces, monuments, churches and castles, which are importantly preserved and conserved which boost up the glorious German history and culture. The Niederwald monument, built on the victory of German over French soldiers which stands on a beautiful hill overlooking the river Rhine and has a heart-winning view. It was indeed a part of heaven, I felt. The scene over the river, the gemstone mine and also the ferry we came across, were really enchanting.

Another beauty of ancient German works, arts and crafts lies in Königstein, an ancient castle which was built in around 1200 AD. It was fabulous. I climbed up onto the top and viewed the very exotic scenes and sights from there. My eyes could see the hills and towns in a far distance. Seeing these, my eyes were really happy and satisfied.

The evening on the 24 of June I attended the general meeting of Direkthilfe Nepal e.V. I was open-heartedly welcomed there. I felt great honour and privilege to have been welcomed there. I got an opportunity to report them about Old Capital School and its children. Afterwards, I had dinner with them. It was very wonderful for me to be meeting these wonderful people who support 26 school children at The Old Capital School with their great and generous support.

Another day I visited Hoherodskopf, Vogelsberg with Thomas. We played on the slide. At first, I was very much scared, but when Thomas drove a sliding car, it was really amusing. My tour to Germany was successful when I saw the whole of Frankfurt city from the roof deck of Main Tower. Viewing the entire city from there at the evening was an excellent feeling. In addition, I tasted varieties of food in the different restaurants of Frankfort city.

Good time flies so fast. It was challenging to realize that I had spent three weeks there. Besides the places mentioned above - many historical, ancient and traditional places – I also got to see the very beautiful chateau park in Schwetzingen, in Frankfurt the old iron bridge, the cathedral, the opera square and the historical Römerberg .

Travelling to Frankfort was not only a tour but also an experience I enjoyed properly. I might forget my tour but will never in my life forget my beautiful experiences about the friendly people, caring co-operative sponsors, board members of DHN, teachers of different schools, family members of the Ochs family, and all the friends of Ursula.

Janak K.C.

September 2022