Student exchange between Miltenberg and Tanzania: An unforgettable trip!

Student exchange between Miltenberg and Tanzania: An unforgettable trip!

The exchange between the Johannes-Butzbach-Gymnasium (JBG) in Miltenberg and the Ilowola School in Tanzania is entering a new round. In the summer of 2025, teachers, Ms. Menne-Beck, Ms. Kappel and Mr. Zacherl, went on an exciting trip to the East African country. Not only were the projects they realized there colorfully mixed, but also the insights into local life.

Tanzania, which is located on the Indian Ocean and borders many neighboring countries such as Kenya and Uganda, offers a lot: with an area that is around 2.5 times the size of Germany and a population of around 62 million people, it is one of the largest countries in Africa. The capital Dodoma is one of the administrative centers, but the largest city is Dar es Salaam, which the travelers also visited. Cultural diversity and language play a major role in Tanzania, where approximately 125 languages ​​are spoken - primarily Bantu languages ​​and lingua francas such as Swahili and English.

Insights into everyday school life

The trip not only included exchanges at school, but also some impressive excursions. From the National Museum in Dar es Salaam, which offered cultural insights, to an open-air museum on traditional African architecture - there wasn't a dry eye in the place. The JBG students and teachers had the opportunity to experience everyday school life up close and to realize projects together. A playground was made, intercultural games were developed and even a solar cooker was built.

After a long journey of 17 hours, the travelers reached the Ilowola School in Njombe. The welcome from the local school community was warm, and accommodation in the school's dormitories ensured an overnight stay in an authentic environment. One of the highlights was the subsequent stay in the Mikumi National Park, where wild animals could be observed in their natural environment on a safari.

Mutual enrichment

But that's not all: the return visit took place in Miltenberg in October. This time three teachers and eight students from Tanzania were guests. Here too, a varied program was on the agenda. After a warm welcome at the JBG and accommodation in host families, the program started with a school and city tour through the old town of Miltenberg. A welcome celebration to deepen contacts brought the two cultures even closer together.

The German school was on the program, as was the presentation of the Tanzanian school system. The students practiced Tanzanian songs and drums together. It wasn't just about education, but also about exciting excursions: a visit to the Faust brewery provided insights into the local art of brewing, while information about alternative energies and a trip to Henneburg with archery and historical costumes provided variety. The Culture Day in Würzburg was the crowning conclusion of the week.

Finally, the successful week was celebrated with a barbecue evening. A big thank you goes to the sponsors, including the Sparkasse Aschaffenburg-Miltenberg and many other supporters who made this exchange program possible. The Erbacher Foundation, represented by Christine Wagner, also received thanks for the financial support and advice that benefited the exchange.

The cultural diversity that Tanzania has to offer, coupled with the deep cuts in the lives of the people there, make such programs an experience that will be remembered for a long time. main-echo.de and Wikipedia show how valuable intercultural exchange is and how it contributes to understanding between countries and cultures.