NZ-German Exchange 2025/26
By Oliver Jamieson | Posted: Wednesday February 18, 2026
In December and January, four students from Otago Boys’ High School participated in the NZ/German Exchange, which has been running for more than 30 years.
This exchange had huge advantages for us both linguistically and culturally.
Shortly after the conclusion of our exams on the 30th of November 2025, we departed from Dunedin to land 24 hours later in Munich, Germany, where our host partners welcomed us. Subsequently, we each journeyed to our individual homestays located throughout the Bavarian region.
The exchange program spanned two months, providing us ample opportunity to deeply engage with the culture and experience the daily life of a typical German teenager. We attended local schools, adjusted to new routines, and embraced the challenge of communicating in German on a daily basis. What initially seemed unfamiliar soon became routine, and by the conclusion of our stay, Bavaria felt like a second home.
On the 4th of March this year, our host partners will arrive for a two-month visit to experience Kiwi life firsthand. We are eager to reciprocate the hospitality extended to us and to share all that makes New Zealand distinctive, from our schools and summer traditions to the nature, beaches, and relaxed culture. This will be an opportunity to showcase the other half of this remarkable exchange. Here are some thoughts from the other boys who participated.
Maximillien Kaiser Year 11 - I recently took part in an exchange to Munich, Germany, travelling from Dunedin for a completely different school experience.
One of the biggest differences I noticed was that students didn’t wear uniforms, which made the school feel much more relaxed. The teachers were very laid-back and treated students more like equals, which was interesting to experience. Lessons felt less strict but still really engaging.
Overall, the exchange was a lot of fun and gave me a new perspective on how schools can work differently around the world. It was an experience I’ll definitely remember.
Xavier Stewart Year 12 - Late last year I took part in the New Zealand/German exchange program that expanded 2 months over December 2025 and January 2026 and it was a surreal experience to say the least.
My life experience with a new family was very different that ranged from the culture, to the language, to the overall feeling of being with completely new people. However after the initial 1 week process of fitting and finding my feet in Germany my exchange family took me in as one of their own and treated me no differently.
Over the two months I was with them my exchange family took me around Germany seeing cool places like the Allianz Arena in Munich, the Old Town in Nürnberg, the famous Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, and the Old Town in Regensburg. These new people pushed me out of my comfort zone to the absolute limits making me do things I wouldn't normally do but the overall experience was certainly very unique but I don't regret it one bit.
Lukas Braun - Year 12 - Arriving in Berlin we gathered as a group and began settling into what would be an unforgettable few days together. After breakfast on our first morning we set off on a city bus tour, which proved to be the perfect way to acquaint ourselves with Germany’s capital.
Travelling through the city offered us our first real glimpse of Berlin. Seeing the Brandenburg Gate in person felt particularly important, especially after having studied its significance in class. We also passed the Reichstag Building, instantly recognisable by its impressive glass dome, along with preserved sections of the Berlin Wall, which stood as powerful reminders of the city’s divided past. While learning about these landmarks in a classroom provides important context, experiencing them firsthand brought a far deeper level of understanding. For all of us OBHS boys, Berlin was a fascinating destination and undoubtedly a place worth visiting.
Applications are currently open for the 26/27 NZ/German Exchange. You are eligible to apply for this if you are taking German in the current Year 10,11 or 12 class. If you are in Year 10 German, you need to be continuing for the whole year with the intention of studying NCEA German, as this exchange is designed for continuing students and you must be prepared to speak as much German as possible.
Please speak to or email Ms Kelly if you wish to apply. The closing date is the 13th March, but there is a lot to do to apply, so if you are interested, please look at this now. One of the things that needs to be done is a recommendation letter from the school, which takes time.
Please find more detailed information at this link : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oNG78EYKQoFTw5vst8J3HYTAygfAQbcG/view?usp=sharing
The application form is available here : https://forms.gle/y8xKcGcDwGgz6FGo7
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