Experiencing Migration: Stories That Move Us

After the first stages of our project had already offered fascinating insights, the next topics proved particularly moving. Exploring the history of migration between Vietnam and Germany took us into more recent history and showed how deeply war and displacement can shape people's lives. We were especially touched by the stories of those who fled to Germany during and in the aftermath of the Vietnam War – or the "American War", as it is known in Vietnam.

Following brief stops to explore migration stories from Namibia and Afghanistan, we had the pleasure of welcoming a very special guest this week: Judith Doe, who shared her personal experience of moving to Ghana.

The students had prepared thoughtful questions and gained fascinating, personal insights into her everyday life and her experiences of living between two cultures. For example, they discovered that the thing Judith misses most is cheese!

Her trips back to Germany also came as a surprise. Although she particularly loves the magical atmosphere of Christmas in Germany during winter, she and her family only visit in summer. The reason is as simple as it is unexpected: her family simply does not own any winter clothes – and has no need for them in Ghana. Suddenly, travelling in summer makes perfect sense!

After the autumn break, the project team will bring together the many impressions, personal stories and facts they have collected and present them in an engaging and accessible way. The aim is to share their findings with the entire school community on German Language Day.

In this way, individual stories will come together to create a rich and diverse picture of migration, belonging, home and encounters between cultures.