German exchange shines a light on different cultures and education systems

Our students have been teaming up with their German counterparts to learn more about each country’s approach to vocational training.

Fifteen learners from Leeds and 14 students from the German town of Kempten collaborated on projects covering everything from AI to marketing as part of Goethe-Institut UK’s Exchange2Change: Shaping Future Vocational Pathways.

The group, supported by six teachers, spent 10 days in both countries exploring a range of topics in their respective fields of business, visual arts and health and social care.

Meeting industry and education leaders

While in Kempten our students visited several vocational training schools, KAD Event Management and Ceratizit Deutschland GmbH – a high-tech engineering and manufacturing company. They also enjoyed exploring the town and finding out about its history.

The group concluded the programme by presenting case studies, based on research and interviews, on: 

• Artificial Intelligence and how it is used in education and business in both countries
• Social media’s impact on young people’s development
• The UK and Germany’s different health care systems, and public perceptions of them
• Brand identity, culturally-coded marketing strategies and how ‘colour-product perception’ differs between the countries

Funded by GIMAGINE, Friends of the Goethe-Institut and the Stiftung Jugendaustausch Bayern, the exchange made a lasting impression on our learners.

Great preparation for the global workplace

One of our participating Business students said: “We have left this experience with new memories, friendships and a better understanding of different cultures and learning environments. Overall, it was an amazing experience, and it was definitely something I will remember for a long time.”

Business and Applied IT teacher Leandra, who also took part in the exchange, praised the experience for providing “opportunities to bring real-world international business examples and different perspectives into classroom discussions and activities”.

She added: “This supports the development of students’ employability and prepares them for an increasingly global workplace.”

The Goethe-Institut is the official cultural institute of Germany, and works globally to promote cultural exchange and promote the German language.