An interview with Mrs Katharina Garcia, an exchange teacher from Regensburg in Germany

By Summer Jenney and Abigail McGarry (Year 12)

For the past week, Larne High pupils and staff have hosted Mrs Katharina Garcia, who has been visiting from Regensburg, Germany. Trained to teach English, Music, Social Studies and the Protestant Religion, she comes from a school that is similar to our own in many ways yet enjoys some fascinating differences - her home town is one of rich culture and possesses an intriguing history that can still be seen today.

The school system in Germany is similar to our own in a number of ways, although there are many differences that are fairly complex. Mrs Garcia provided Larne High School pupils with an insight into how the education system in Germany works. Although the curriculum is very similar she has informed us that there are three different education options after you leave primary school when you are between the ages of 10 and 11: you can go directly to higher level learning (comparable with our A levels); you can attend a school very like our own where learning progresses in difficulty over a number of stages and allows you to obtain a qualification similar to GCSEs; or the final option caters to the needs of those with disabilities and offers a nurturing environment. Mrs Garcia spoke about a system of inclusion in place at the school she works for, this is very similar to Larne High’s own nurture pathway and she explained how it offers those with some disabilities a place in any school they wish to join.  Mrs Garcia has told us that schools in Regensburg have rules that vary slightly from our own. For example, schools in Regensburg do not require a uniform but insist upon certain clothing restrictions such as a jacket always being worn. Mobile phones are not permitted during school hours in Regensburg and must always be turned off, unless a teacher requests them to be used for research purposes during class time. Overall, the differences and similarities between our school systems show that despite different rules and methods of teaching, education is both countries is very similar.

As well as learning about school, Larne High School pupils also had the opportunity to find out about the culture of Southeastern Germany. Regensburg is home to many fantastic festivals that celebrate the ancestral roots of the local inhabitants. Exclusive to Germany are two famous beer festivals, alongside which you can experience a remarkable parade throughout the city, accompanied by marching bands. Those who participate express their culture through traditional clothing such as the girls’ Dirndl and boys’ Lederhosen. However, many tourists who enjoy these festivities remain unaware of the true meaning behind such traditional clothing! Mrs Garcia explained that the Dirndl consists of an old-fashioned dress, with a high skirt and apron. If the apron is tied to the left, this indicates that the wearer is single while tying it to the right implies that the person is in a relationship. We have also discovered that embroidery on the Lederhosen can indicate what region of Germany the wearer is from. Such festivities are widely celebrated within the community and children are given a day off school to participate in activities, and many are encouraged to wear the traditional clothing. Christmas is another highly important event in Regensburg and we in Northern Ireland can now enjoy the traditional Bavarian Christmas markets. In Regensburg there are six different Christmas markets situated throughout the city, offering world famous spiced wine and French sausage rolls. Mrs Garcia has firmly emphasised the overwhelming beauty of the lights on such occasions, and it is easy for us to see how important these festivals are for the Bavarian people!

Vast and intriguing, the history of Regensburg is a key part of their community. Traces of the city’s age-old origins as a Castaregina can be seen today in the form of large roman city gates and remnants of old city walls that line the entrance of Regensburg, while links to medieval times portray themselves as neighbourhoods constructed centuries ago, favouring classical architecture comparable to that of our much more local Canterbury. A city of historical wealth, Regensburg has numerous towers that once housed Germany’s richest inhabitants, and in recent years these traces of old architecture have been converted to suit the needs of much more modern living. Mrs Garcia explained how the Jewish Ghettos were destroyed and converted into open spaces that serve as a memorial to those who died at the sites, and explains that further memorials can be seen through the city as stumbling stones. Personal to Regensburg, these golden stones replace regular pebbles and are engraved with the name, date of birth & date of death for a person who died in the ghettos. Regensburg is clearly home to many unique historical features, and their surviving links with a deep, fascinating past making it a truly captivating place to learn about.

Mrs Garcia said that she has enjoyed her visit to Northern Ireland, stating her particular enjoyment of seeing the coast and experiencing the milder temperatures. She states that she is impressed by the open minded, welcoming and respectful nature of both students and staff commenting on the unique respect and understanding teachers and students share for each other. Mrs Garcia has provided us with a great insight into the Bavarian culture and her valuable information allowed a once in a lifetime opportunity to further examine life in Regensburg, Germany.