Ottawa to Bonn Exchange

​Top from left to right: Ronja, Emma (Germany), Abby Walker, Keith Holmes, Emily Pike, Carly Rocheleau (Hillcrest), Esther, Lea, (Germany), Kaija Bryans (Hillcrest), Sandrin, Sophie (Germany), Bottom from left to right: Jordan Buck, Maddy Coles (Hillcrest)

"Hillcrest gave 12 of my classmates and I the incredible opportunity to travel on an exchange trip to Germany. The exchange experience started back in October of last year when our German exchange students flew in and we invited them into our homes. We had the chance to meet our exchanges and really connect and get to know them on a personal level while they stayed with us. Then a short 5 months later it was finally our time to travel to Germany to reconnect with our exchanges, whom at that point we’d all become best friends with. The trip brought us all throughout Germany from Bonn, to,Trier to my favourite, Berlin.

​For some, the trip even took them outside of Germany to places like France, Belgium and the Netherlands. I believe I speak for all my classmates and friends when I say the trip was certainly the best memory from high school, and is one that we will cherish for the rest of our lives. Hillcrest gave us the opportunity to see the German culture and make many friends along the way whom we will certainly be keeping in touch with for many years to come. The trip was certainly a dream come true for many of us and it was all made possible by the incredibly dedicated staff at Hillcrest. I certainly can’t thank the staff enough for giving us this extraordinary opportunity, that we will hold dear to our hearts for years to come."

Carly Rocheleau - Hillcrest High School