Day4! Tour!

Today was a great day full of learning. We took a tour of Graz thanks to our amazing onsite coordinator Regine and the previous onsite coordinator Völker. They dazzled us with facts about the city and we enjoyed the beautiful weather as we walked.
We had to split up due to group size. So I ended up with Regine’s group. Here are pictures of the tour and our meal of schnitzel and Pommes after!
These pictures don’t do the city justice.

Day 3! Test day!

Well today we put the students to the test. Literally. They took 3 language tests to see where they stand in their language ability. It is necessary so that we can effectively help them in every area. Grammar, reading, and listening.

We also did  MORE with our cell phones in order to make sure we have the best communication possible.

Lots of laughs, and lots of really good German was spoken today! We are impressed with these students!

More pics!

Second day!

Today was a FULL day! We gave the students a glimpse of what they can expect from our “classes”  and completed an activity about Austria and Graz itself. We got to see what kind of art skills we have in the group!
We also did all of the things one must do, in order for things to have order during this trip! That means setting up the school rooms and getting our “dumb phones!” (Get it? Not SMART phones that connect to WiFi).
Then we did one of the hardest things we could have done to students in German...we gave them technical instructions to follow in order to set their phones up! ;) a few hours and setbacks later, we now have communication with the students!

We saw the “Stadt Mitte” or downtown of Graz. There is so much to see! While Lane did all the behind the scenes work in order for us to have phones in Graz, Frau Carey and I (I let them call me Frau Lisa) took the students on short walks through the city.
The day ended with the host family orientation and the instructors got to meet all of them a little more intimately and could answer any questions they may have about the program.
It was a full but successful day!

First day in Austria!

We made it safe and sound! Finding WiFi was difficult but I can finally post about the first day in Austria! Here are some pictures of the gardens we saw on our free time and the kids meeting their host families! It was really a great flight and these kids were troopers the entire day!

It’s time!

It’s time! We will meet at 1:30 central time at terminal 5 tomorrow! Make sure your child has their IUHPFL t-shirt on for our trip! Make sure their liquids are in clear plastic bags as well, if they are placing liquids in a carry on. Security will require them to take all liquids out of their carry on bags.
Bring snacks for the flight as well!! :)

Hello parents! Our trip is coming quickly! Please make sure that your student is checking the Facebook page frequently for updates. And a quick reminder that parents are to use the blog and students are supposed to use the Facebook page. An email was sent from the IUHPFL office about flight procedures on June 3rd. Make sure your students checks the packing list and tries to pack as light as possible!

Will post again soon.