Augsburg 2023 Summary
We, the participants of the Augsburg 2023 camp, spent 192 hours together last week. From the start to the finish, there wasn’t a single hour that we didn’t enjoy. It was pleasant for many of us to experience our first airplane journey. The hospitality and openness of the host families, the “school-free” atmosphere of the language school with its innovative teaching methods, the shared activities with lots of interesting things and information about the local world – all of these will be cherished memories. We will always remember the clothes and books we bought during our free time. Speaking of a summary, the program included team-building bowling, arts and crafts at the textile museum, exploring the past in museums, churches, and palaces, and the grand hall of the famous town hall. We enjoyed the proximity to nature in the vast botanical garden and the adjacent zoo. We learned about the famous natives of the city, such as Bertold Brecht and Jakob Fugger, and we will surely look at puppetry differently after visiting the famous puppet museum. We are currently savoring the memories, and with the same determination, we are preparing for the next language competition to meet again next year at the same time, in the same place, with everyone.
“It was different from last year. By that, I don’t mean that I enjoyed it more, but it can’t be denied that it was better this year. It almost had the same program as before, yet I never felt bored. I had been thinking for a long time about the family I would be staying with. Would I understand what they say? Or would they have to gesture and use hand and foot to make me understand? Fortunately, my fear was unfounded. I was accommodated by an elderly lady who spoke beautifully. I was surprised to realize that I could understand almost every word. Moreover, I performed much better in class than last time. Although it was tiring to listen to explanations in German for several hours, it felt great to participate in the afternoon activities. Ever since I found out that I could go to Germany, I was looking forward to visiting the Fuggers again! It was a top-rated program last year. However, I didn’t expect to be even more impressed by something else, but the botanical garden fascinated me so much that I’m willing to travel again just for that next year. I think this week helped a lot in improving my language skills and provided enough motivation to study diligently for the language exam. When the bus driver, who took us to Augsburg, first spoke to us, I could barely translate anything for myself. However, on the way back, it caused no difficulty at all. Lastly, but not least, I would like to express my gratitude to the Foundation for the opportunity, as well as to our volunteers Tündi and Máté Varga, our mentor Márti, Adél, and our camp leader Sasa for this wonderful implementation.” – Enikő Sármány
“It’s difficult to recall how many places we visited in just one week. Among other things, we visited the Textile Museum, where besides seeing the interesting exhibition, we could paint our own t-shirts or bags. We took a city tour, saw the Town Hall, and learned about the history of Augsburg’s most famous family, the Fuggers, at the Fuggerei. I find the city’s history very interesting, and I was glad to see Augsburg’s distinctive buildings. On one of the last days, we participated in a city quiz game. On the last day, we traveled to Nuremberg. We saw the castle, the churches, and while walking around the city, we realized how much Nuremberg has to offer. There was no shortage of free time during the camp. During this time, we regularly visited the city’s plaza, the City Gallery. Our bowling night together was memorable, as well as the evening walks with my roommates. The camp had a great team-building effect, as a very good company gathered for the camp. Friendships were formed and deepened. I am grateful to have been part of such a great experience this year! I would gladly go back next year. – Levente Sipos
“It felt great that we were given so much trust to explore the city after dinner with two others, and from the bridge above the railway, we could admire the beautiful sunsets. One of the best things for me was having Máté Varga with us, who provided us with a lot of historical information. I learned a lot from him.” – Barnabás Radó
“It was my first trip where I could use the language I’ve been learning for seven years. We had fantastic language lessons during the week, but every leisure activity deserves this epithet. However, my favorite was the puppet museum, called Puppenkiste, that we got to know during the city orientation quiz. It was interesting to see where today’s fairy tales started and how much work and artistry goes into puppet performances. For me, the dearest puppet was the Little Prince because I used to watch this show a lot. I can’t say any other word: fantastic, just like the week spent with my fellow campers.” – Milán Vajda
“The invaluable value for me was being able to develop our language skills in a native environment and succeed in spontaneous situations in the language. I can’t say it enough, how grateful I am to the Foundation for being in Augsburg. A wonderful family welcomed us, and this one week became an unforgettable experience for me. I thanked them with a poem in German, for the humanity and kindness I received. Thank you so much!” – Lajos Nyári
Augsburg und ich…
Die Zeit wird knapp
und rollt am Himmel.
Rollt und sie bewegt
ein bisschen Unsicher.
Augsburg in meinem
Herzen eingeschlossen,
um nie die Erlebnisse
einmal zu vergessen.
Astrid war meine Mutti
für eine ganze Woche,
und Savier war mein
süßer Bruder…. Oder?
(Ich habe ihn vielleicht
Täglich nicht viel gesehen.
Aber er war so nett,
mein deutsch konnte er verstehen.)
Der Zeit wird knapp
und rollt am Himmel.
Ich soll jetzt gehen?
Wirklich? Sicher?
Ich möchte die Gassen
noch einmal sehen.
Ich möchte rund um mich
alles um zu verstehen….
Ich möchte noch einmal
in der Küche reden
Ich möchte noch einmal
am Königsplatz lesen.
Ich brauche am Morgen
den Klang des Radios.
(Vielleicht sollte ich verlieren
ein bisschen, ein Paar Kilos.)
Ich möchte wieder sehen
die Sehenswürdigkeiten.
Ich möchte mich mit euch
noch mehr unterhalten.
Nur noch ein’ Haltestelle
die dauert ein Leben.
Oh! Wenn ich mehr Zeit hätte
die Stadt noch einmal zu sehen.
Ich möchte mit euch
etwas neus erleben.
Vielleicht in der Zukunft
ich werde euch noch sehen.
Jetzt mein Herz
liegt in meinem Hals,
wenn ich die Wörter höre :
„Tschüss! Wiedersehen! Bald!”
Ich bin so Dankbar,
für all die kleine Hilfe,
für die ewige Freundschaft,
und neue Erlebnisse….
Aber die Zeit wird knapp…
… Und rollt am Himmel.
Ich möchte nicht gehen.
… Aber ich soll. Sicher…
Ich hoffe, wenn wir werden
später wieder uns treffen,
Wir werden uns an alle
Erlebnisse erinnern.
Augsburg
Klinkerberger Straße 28.
25.06. 2023.