Cultural Immersion Tours
An integral part of learning a new language is gaining an understanding of the language's culture. At Seminar Schloss Bogenhofen students have a variety of opportunities to experience the various cultures associates with the German language.
A number of "cultural immersion" tours are offered throughout the year. The exact sequence may vary slightly depending on the interest of the group and the weather.
September - Austrian Alps
A hike in the Austrian Alps to enjoy fellowship in this majestic setting for a whole day right at the beginning of the school year.
October - Burghausen, castle and museum
Burghausen is the longest castle in Europe, a beautiful old German town at the Salzach river which is the border to Austria.
November - Vienna (1 week)
Each fall, the language students spend a week in the Austrian capital city of Vienna. This trip allows the group to actually see the sites they have learned about in class (European civilization). We visit historic locations, spend time in museums, attend concerts, and have the opportunity to visit other sites of personal interest. This week is the highlight of the first trimester.
December - Salzburg, including concert
Once the Christmas Season has begun in earnest, the language students visit the nearby city of Salzburg. This city is renowned for its Christmas market and decorations as well as for its rich musical tradition, which is experienced through a Christmas concert.
January/February - Skiing week
With Bogenhofen located not too far from the Alps, participating in winter sports is an exciting opportunity for language students. Consequently, language students spend a week during the winter at a mountain resort, where they can ski, snowboard, or just relax in the lodge. A skiing teacher is at hand for those wanting to learn a new sport. This trip is definitely the highlight of the second trimester.
March - Mauthausen, concentration camp
In March we usually visit a concentration camp with an excellent center of information in Mauthausen. This trip is sometimes postponed to the end of April depending on the weather.
April - Berlin, Dresden and Wittenberg
Berlin, Germany's capital is another city rich in history and culture. During a week in the spring the language students explore Berlin and the surrounding area. This region, which has played such an important role in world history, provides multiple opportunities for learning and fun. We go to the Wall Museum. the Pergamon Museum, a concert at the cathedral, the Brandenburger Tor and Reichstagsgebäude, the television tower to see Berlin from above and also the Gedächtniskirche. Again the learning part has been well prepared in culture class.
This trip takes the students also to Potsdam, Wittenberg and Dresden and is certainly the highlight of the whole academic year.
May - Hallstatt, Eisriesenwelt, Choir trips
After passing the exams we spend another day touring together and choose one of the following sites depending on what the students haven’t seen yet or would like to see most or simply on the weather.
Hallstatt - a beautiful site with a salt mine or the ice cave "Eisriesenwelt" - a fascinating cave.
For those who participate in the choir there are two additional trips to Germany, Austria or Switzerland with the choir.
Individually - Munich, Neuschwanstein, Rothenburg, Nürnberg
Most students visit these sites and others in small groups on a Sunday at their own leisure because they can be reached easily and cheaply by train
During the holidays - Italy, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, England
Most students enjoy touring some of these countries during the breaks (Christmas, spring, Easter) in small groups either by Eurail or using cheap flights.
