Category: PASCH

In July 2026, I went on a journey that I do not think I could ever forget. It was an incredible opportunity given to me by the Goethe-Institut and my teachers: a three-week summer camp in Germany. Naturally, the possibility of travelling to Germany excited me greatly. However, I could never have prepared myself for just how enjoyable the entire experience would be.

We stayed in Benediktbeuern, a small town in Bavaria. It was quaint, peaceful, and lined with picturesque houses. Every morning, we attended classes to improve our language skills. Being in Germany and communicating with locals in German gave me an immersive experience that I had never really found in Kolkata. Each lesson was part of a systematic and intensive programme designed to prepare us for the B2 examination.

I had quite a few amusing interactions with my friends because of German, but one in particular stands out. The word will, when used as a verb in German, expresses desire, meaning “to want”, unlike its more matter-of-fact meaning in English. Sometimes, my mind would slip, and I would use the word will while speaking English but with its German meaning in mind. Of course, my friends would make fun of me whenever I did this, but it also made me feel a strange sense of pride. After all, I had become comfortable enough with German for it to occasionally slip into my English without me even realising it.

Of course, the sense of accomplishment I felt upon receiving my B2 certificate was incomparable. Despite that, however, the highlight of my trip would have to be the new connections I made there. There were students from all across the world, fifteen countries, to be exact. Interacting with them gave me the opportunity to explore cultures that were very different from my own. I learned about the snacks they enjoyed in their countries, the holidays they celebrated, and even some of their unusual beliefs and superstitions. What began as a group of strangers from different corners of the world gradually became a group of friends who shared three unforgettable weeks together.

The last day felt like a fever dream. The three weeks had passed far too quickly, and the day became a festival of tears, sadness, and sleepiness, as everybody had been stubbornly determined to stay up all night before their flights. After spending so much time together, saying goodbye was much harder than any of us had expected. The friends we had made lived thousands of miles away, and there was always the possibility that it could be our last encounter.

Although the last day was truly heartbreaking, I would go on this scholarship again and again if I had the opportunity. It was a chance like no other: an experience that not only helped me improve my German, but also introduced me to people, cultures, and memories that I will carry with me for years to come. More than just a language camp, those three weeks gave me a glimpse of a world far beyond my own, and I am incredibly grateful that I had the opportunity to be a part of it.

Im Juli 2026 machte ich eine Reise, die ich wahrscheinlich nie vergessen werde. Es war eine unglaubliche Möglichkeit, die mir das Goethe-Institut und meine Lehrer gegeben haben: ein dreiwöchiges Sommercamp in Deutschland. Natürlich hat mich schon die Möglichkeit, nach Deutschland zu reisen, sehr gefreut. Aber ich hätte nie gedacht, wie schön und interessant die ganze Erfahrung wirklich werden würde.

Wir wohnten in Benediktbeuern, einer kleinen Stadt in Bayern. Der Ort war ruhig und gemütlich und hatte viele schöne Häuser. Jeden Morgen hatten wir Unterricht, um unsere Sprachkenntnisse zu verbessern. In Deutschland zu sein und mit Menschen vor Ort auf Deutsch zu sprechen, hat mir eine Erfahrung gegeben, die ich in Kolkata bisher nicht wirklich hatte. Jede Unterrichtsstunde war Teil eines intensiven Programms, das uns auf die B2-Prüfung vorbereiten sollte.

Ich hatte einige lustige Erlebnisse mit meinen Freunden wegen der deutschen Sprache, aber eines ist mir besonders im Gedächtnis geblieben. Das Wort „will“ bedeutet auf Deutsch, dass man etwas möchte. Im Englischen hat das Wort aber eine ganz andere Bedeutung. Manchmal habe ich beim Englisch Sprechen aus Versehen „will“ benutzt, obwohl ich eigentlich die deutsche Bedeutung meinte. Natürlich haben sich meine Freunde jedes Mal darüber lustig gemacht. Trotzdem war ich auch ein bisschen stolz darauf. Schließlich war ich so an die deutsche Sprache gewöhnt, dass sie manchmal sogar in mein Englisch gekommen ist, ohne dass ich es bemerkt habe.

Natürlich war ich sehr stolz, als ich mein B2 Zertifikat über das Bestehen der Prüfung bekommen habe. Trotzdem waren die neuen Freundschaften für mich wahrscheinlich das Beste an der ganzen Reise. Es gab Schüler aus der ganzen Welt – genau genommen aus fünfzehn verschiedenen Ländern. Durch sie konnte ich viele Kulturen kennenlernen, die ganz anders als meine eigenen waren. Ich habe etwas über die Snacks gelernt, die sie in ihren Ländern essen, über ihre Feiertage und sogar über einige ihrer ungewöhnlichen Traditionen und Aberglauben. Am Anfang waren wir Fremde aus verschiedenen Teilen der Welt, aber nach und nach wurden wir eine Gruppe von Freunden, die drei unvergessliche Wochen zusammen verbracht hat.

Der letzte Tag fühlte sich wie ein Traum an. Die drei Wochen waren viel zu schnell vergangen, und der letzte Tag war voller Tränen, Traurigkeit und Müdigkeit. Wir waren nämlich alle fest entschlossen, vor unseren Flügen die ganze Nacht wach zu bleiben. Nachdem wir so viel Zeit miteinander verbracht hatten, war der Abschied viel schwieriger, als wir erwartet hatten. Unsere neuen Freunde lebten tausende Kilometer entfernt, und es bestand die Möglichkeit, dass wir uns vielleicht zum letzten Mal gesehen hatten.

Obwohl der letzte Tag wirklich traurig war, würde ich jederzeit wieder an diesem Stipendium teilnehmen, wenn ich die Möglichkeit dazu hätte. Es war eine einmalige Chance – eine Erfahrung, die mir nicht nur geholfen hat, mein Deutsch zu verbessern, sondern mir auch neue Menschen, Kulturen und Erinnerungen gebracht hat, die ich noch viele Jahre behalten werde. Es war mehr als nur ein Sprachcamp. In diesen drei Wochen konnte ich eine Welt kennenlernen, die viel größer war als meine eigene, und dafür bin ich sehr dankbar.

From 19th July to 8th August 2026, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Deutsch Plus Beruf scholarship programme in Heilbronn, Germany, organised by Goethe Institute.

It was a three-week language course including career orientation; we had classes every weekday morning, after which we got to visit some of the biggest companies and universities in the country, giving us a glimpse into the education, research and professional life in Germany. My German improved tremendously, especially when it came to actually using it outside the classroom.

And, of course, we had plenty of fun outside of studies– we had free-time every evening and excursions every weekend, during which we explored and took part in a variety of activities such as boatriding, drawing on the sidewalks with chalk, participating in scavenger hunts around new cities with only a physical map as a guide, karaoke nights, museum tours, making gummy bears from scratch– and so much more, making everlasting memories together!

With 41 students representing around 35 countries, being the only participant from India was both exciting and a little nerve-wracking. However, meeting people from so many different countries was the very best part! I made some amazing friends, learned so much about their cultures and perspectives, and found that I could relate to so many of them despite having such different backgrounds. Being the representative of my country, I got to share about my experiences and culture with them as well.

I came back with improved proficiency in German, greater independence, wonderful new friendships, a deeper understanding of cultures around the world, and countless memories. These three weeks constituted an experience of a lifetime that will always stick with me hereafter.

On 24th June, a group of students participated in the workshop “Mit Denken”, organised by Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan Kolkata.

The workshop introduced students to the ideas and work of the German philosopher and cultural critic Walter Benjamin, with a special focus on themes such as art, media, and the modern world. Through a variety of interactive activities and discussions, students explored how Benjamin’s ideas continue to influence the way we understand culture, technology, and society today.

The session was designed to be engaging and thought-provoking, offering participants a basic introduction to philosophical thinking in a fun and accessible way. Students were encouraged to express their opinions, work collaboratively, and reflect on different perspectives. A touch of German was woven into the activities, making the experience both educational and enjoyable.

The workshop provided a unique opportunity for students to experience learning beyond the classroom. It inspired curiosity, critical thinking, and a deeper appreciation of German language and culture. The participants returned with new insights and memorable experiences that will benefit them in their future learning.

The workshop series “Mit allen Sinnen durch Deutschland” (With All Senses Through Germany) was conducted at Goethe-Institut Kolkata on 8th May. 10 Students from class 5 and class 6 got the  opportunity to explore Germany in an interactive and playful way. Through interactive games, creative tasks, and hands-on activities, learners experienced German culture beyond the classroom and discovered Landeskunde (cultural studies)in a lively and meaningful manner.

The series combined language, culture, movement, music, and collaborative learning to create an immersive experience that appealed to all the senses. Participants explored aspects of everyday life, traditions, festivals, food, and cultural diversity in Germany while developing curiosity, creativity, and communication skills.

By making learning experiential and enjoyable, the workshop series encouraged students to connect with German language and culture in a dynamic and memorable way.

On the 30th of April, 2026, 10 students of Modern High School for Girls had the pleasure of attending the Interactive Empathy Session at Goethe Institut Kolkata.
The workshop was conducted by digital artists Julia and Andrey Vrady. It delved deep into the intricacies of human emotions, the expression of self through facial display, and the development of technology to efficiently articulate between human emotions.
The workshop dealt primarily with how valuable human emotion is as a resource in a world where so much is inauthentic. The conversation ranged from the colours that one would associate with certain emotions— like how green is associated with disgust or red with anger, to what causes teenagers and young adults to feel negative emotions such as anger or stress.
The experience was truly enriching for the students as they got an opportunity to freely express their views and learn from their peers about technology that is currently being used all around them, and explore the german language outside the standard curriculum.

Students of Classes 6 and 7 at MHS had a wonderful opportunity to participate in a storytelling session with Ms. Annika Hartmann from Freiburg, Germany.

Ms. Hartmann is a freelance actress and theatre pedagogue based in Freiburg. She has been associated for many years with Theater L.U.S.T., a well-known theatre collective recognised for its improvisational and literary productions for diverse audiences, including educational institutions. In addition, she is a state-certified educator with specialised training in Montessori pedagogy and currently works as a learning facilitator at the Freie Schule Dreisamtal, a recognised reform-pedagogical school near Freiburg.

Combining her artistic experience with strong pedagogical expertise, Ms. Hartmann delivered an engaging and age-appropriate reading session that motivated and supported students learning German. The 70-minute session consisted of reading excerpts from the book, followed by screening corresponding scenes from the film adaptation.