After almost two months in New Zealand, Rutherford College has said farewell to German exchange students
After almost two months in New Zealand, Rutherford College has said farewell to German exchange students Vincent Berger, Anna Irrgang, Anneka Schaefer, and Robin Trick as they returned home to Bavaria this week. During their stay, the students became an important part of the Rutherford community, creating lasting friendships and experiencing many aspects of Kiwi school life for the very first time.
The German students were hosted by the families of Rutherford students Jessica Lynch-Blosse, Daniel Peacock, Cole Whitcombe, and Renee Lochead, who had earlier spent two months in Bavaria over the Christmas period. This close connection made the exchange especially meaningful, with both groups experiencing life in each other’s countries through genuine family and school immersion.
At Rutherford College, the visiting students especially enjoyed the welcoming atmosphere and were impressed by the wide range of subjects available. Subjects such as Outdoor Education and Hospitality were highlights, offering opportunities that many said were very different from their schooling in Germany. Wearing a school uniform was also a completely new experience, as most German schools do not require uniforms. Another memorable highlight was taking part in haka practice, where they learned about Māori culture, teamwork, and school spirit.
Earlier in the year, the Rutherford students had their own unforgettable experience in Bavaria. Daniel Peacock described the exchange as “a fantastic experience which I will never forget,” highlighting school life in Germany, exploring cities like Berlin, and travelling on a special trip with other exchange students. He also enjoyed skiing, trying local foods, and discovering everyday cultural differences, including how affordable fresh bread and pretzels were compared to New Zealand.
Cole Whitcombe said his time in Germany was “unforgettable,” especially experiencing a European winter over Christmas. He visited castles and Christmas markets, skied in Austria at SkiWelt, and travelled with Daniel to Neuschwanstein Castle, the inspiration for Disney’s famous castle. He also found German school life and culture fascinating and very different from home.
Jessica Lynch-Blosse said that “two months in Germany was far from long enough.” She spoke warmly about her welcoming host family and how living in another country opened her eyes to new experiences and cultures. Jessica especially loved the German Christmas atmosphere, including the Weihnachtsmärkte (Christmas markets), snow, and festive traditions. While she enjoyed trying new foods, she admitted she still missed some familiar Kiwi meals, although the fresh German bread was a definite favourite. Jessica also reflected on how different German schools were compared to New Zealand and said she formed a lifelong friendship with her exchange partner Anna.
Renee Lochead described her time in Germany as “wonderful,” saying she made many new friends and felt warmly welcomed by her exchange partner, her family, and their friends. She said the experience taught her independence and gave her insight into how other countries celebrate Christmas and New Year. One of Renee’s favourite parts of the trip was travelling by train across Germany to cities including Frankfurt, Marburg, Berlin, and Munich, experiences which also helped build her confidence speaking German.
The exchange programme has once again proven to be a valuable opportunity for cultural understanding, language development, and lifelong friendships. Rutherford College thanks all students and families involved for their commitment and hospitality, and looks forward to continuing the involvement with the Germany-New Zealand exchange program in the years ahead.
Students and families who are interested in this exchange can contact the German teacher Petra Scheffer-Cosslett for more information.
by Petra Scheffer-Cosslett
