MUSCATINE, Iowa–Following a visit from five Austrian teachers in late October, a group of five faculty and staff members from Muscatine High School traveled to Gratz, Austria to learn about Austrian culture and education for themselves. For a week in late November and early December, the group spent time at several schools in Austria and attended various cultural events as well.
As educators, the travelers found it interesting to observe some of the differences in Austrian secondary education. Some of the things they saw represented organizational differences. Muscatine High School German teacher Charles Netzer explained: “in the Austrian system, middle and high school are housed in the same institutions. What we observed were ‘gymnasia’ or state-run public preparatory schools. Each graduating class has only about 100 students (even in a city as large as Graz!), and there are several gymnasia, each with their own academic specialties.”
The travelers also saw differences in what the students studied. “In Austria, they start teaching their students English in grade one (equivalent to our fifth grade), which continues until they graduate,” observed Ann Edkin, a physical education teacher at Muscatine High School. “Students can add an additional language when they are upperclassmen; their students graduate being bilingual, some of them being fluent in three languages.” Additionally, Edkin noted that while physical education classes used similar methods to ones in the United States, such as teaching students skills and then having them practice them through games, their schools do not have sports teams or extensive training facilities. Students also have opportunities to take ethics and religion classes as well.
Despite these differences, the visitors saw many similarities with their own work as well. “Kids are still kids!” shared guidance counselor Dani Wolfe. “They are fun, silly, and can be challenging at times, however, they make what we do worth it!”
Outside of their time spent at school, the group enjoyed exploring both Gratz and Vienna, Austria and the activites their hosts took them to. “Austria is magical at this time of year,” Netzer rhapsodized. “From the snow-capped mountains, to the Christmas markets, to the Krampus parade, everything felt cozy and enchanted.”
Edkin added: “the ball we went to on our last night made a huge impression. One of the teacher’s school’s had their ball, which is like our prom, but even fancier. Students are introduced and then perform a waltz with their dance partner. At midnight, each homeroom performs a choreographed dance as well.”
In addition to providing personal enrichment for each of them, all of the educators felt the exchange with Austria would benefit their students. Netzer elaborated, “Muscatine High School German classes will remain in close contact with the friends we made in Austria, and we will continue a digital exchange throughout the rest of the school year, at least.”
Edkin reflected: “I feel that my students will benefit because I am more attuned and accepting of cultural differences. Opening my mind to differences makes me more approachable to my students.”
All of the participants hope that other educators will consider participating in future exchanges facilitated by the Stanley Center for Peace and Security and American Field Service USA. “To all teachers considering doing an exchange, I would highly encourage going for it!” Wolfe enthused. “Our job is to inspire learning, and what better way to inspire learning than demonstrating to your students what learning can look like?”
