Exchange students from Colégio São Luiz in Brasil return from Germany and share their experiences. They visited the cities of Berlin, Freiburg, and Handrup, as well as the house where Father Dehon lived in Belgium.
After spending 30 days in Germany, the exchange students from Colégio São Luiz have returned to Brusque (SC). Amanda Erthal da Cunha, Guilherme Fagundes, Guinter Comper, Isabela Alves Rosin, Samuel Baron, Sarah Tadiello Iabrude, Valentina Bonatelli Maestri, and Vinícius Fagundes traveled alongside Fraters João Pedro Kuberesky and Djonatan Engelmann, forming the fourth group of students to have the opportunity to experience daily life as students in Germany.
During the exchange, the group visited Berlin and Freiburg, where they stayed at a Dehonian convent and explored the sights of southern Germany. The students then traveled north, to Handrup, where they attended classes for two weeks at Leoninum College, a school owned by the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
One of the group’s companions, Frater Djonatan Engelmann, stated that the experience in Germany was enriching for all the students. “Everything went very smoothly. They truly enjoyed every moment. I believe that immersing themselves in a new culture, discovering new places, appreciating another language, and experiencing the German educational system was of great value and will contribute significantly to the human and intellectual development of the students who participated in this experience.”
Frater João Pedro Kuberesky, who for the second time accompanied a group of exchange students from Colégio São Luiz to Germany, also believes the exchange fulfilled its purpose. He particularly emphasized the students’ openness to a different reality experienced in Germany and Europe. “Even though Brusque and the surrounding region were founded by Europeans. settlers, there are naturally many cultural differences between Brazil and Germany, as well as between South America and Europe. Nevertheless, our students demonstrated great interest in and respect for the culture they were immersed in.”
Visit to Father Dehon’s house
At the end of the trip, the exchange students visited the Sacred Heart of Jesus House in Brussels, Belgium, where the founder of the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Father John Leon Dehon, spent his final days. In August 2025, it will be the 100th anniversary of Father Dehon’s death, and the students of Colégio São Luiz had the opportunity to deepen their understanding of his legacy by visiting the place where he passed away. “Colégio São Luiz, a Catholic school run by the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, carries the same charism of love and reparation left by Father Dehon. That is why, during their visit, the students were able to connect more closely with the history that Father Dehon left for our Congregation,” says Frater Djonatan.
Frater João also highlighted the significance of visiting the founder’s house. “Making this visit in the spirit of the centenary of Father Dehon’s passing is something incredible and unique for those who have had this experience. Being there, in the very place where he lived and from which many missionaries set out for distant lands under Dehon’s blessing, was and remains a great grace. May the example of Leon Dehon’s life continue to inspire and motivate us, as he wished, to bring the Heart of Jesus to souls and societies.”
An enriching experience
The exchange students described their time in Germany as enriching and full of learning. Each of them shared a bit about what made the trip most memorable.
For Amanda Erthal da Cunha, the structure of the classes in Germany was a key difference. “There, they use tablets instead of books, and each student can choose subjects based on their interests. We had different routines and made a lot of friends. It was a great experience.”
Guilherme Fagundes highlighted the cultural differences. “I really liked seeing how the school works — with no books, only tablets. I also noticed that Germans tend to be more reserved than Brazilians. For example, hugging is not as common there, so when we did it, they seemed pleasantly surprised.”
Guinter Comper emphasized hospitality. “People say Germans are cold, but we didn’t feel that! It was the other way around, they always tried to include us. In class, for instance, many teachers would explain in German first and then in English so that we could understand. We were warmly welcomed everywhere and even met many Brazilian priests.”
Isabela Alves Rosin was also impressed by the warm reception. “The Germans welcomed us very well. What I liked the most was the school — the different way of learning using iPads. I also saw snow for the first time and was amazed by the convent buildings. It was an unforgettable experience.”
For Samuel Baron, the exchange was a unique opportunity. “I met so many people and learned a lot from each of them. I made many friends, and they always made us feel welcome. I highly recommend this experience.”
Valentina Bonatelli Maestri emphasized the cultural exchange. “The exchange was really nice — we were able to share a bit of our Brazilian culture with them. It was an eye-opening experience.”
To Sarah Tadiello Iabrude, the exchange program exceeded her expectations. “We were very well received, and everyone did everything to make us feel comfortable. The students there are very engaged in class, which I found really interesting as well. As a group, we got along very well — we became a family.”
Finally, Vinícius Fagundes reflected on the cultural impact of the trip. “I had high expectations, but it was even better than I imagined. It was amazing to learn about their culture and interact with them. People were very communicative, and I was able to speak German with them. I highly recommend this experience, and if I get the chance, I’d love to participate in other exchange programs in the future.”
