Bremen Exchange Visit

                    City & Guild
Level 2 Motor Vehicle

              Exchange Visit to Bremen

                   1st to 8th May 2014

 By Apprentice Martin Davey

Introduction

For the past 4 years, Coleg Cambria Motor Vehicle Department, and that of our counterparts at Bremen College in North West Germany, have been undertaking alternating exchange visits for the purposes of experiencing each of the others working, educational and cultural environments.  The enterprise is funded by the European Council and, from my own recent experience of being involved as a student, I can say that the expense would appear to be highly justified.  I have lived and worked in Germany before, albeit during a period when it was divided, and whilst undertaking a role completely removed from that of the Now.  However from the perspective of a young man or woman with no concept of the differences that really do exist from one country and culture to another, this experience enables a unique understanding to begin to exist, which can only benefit our wider society here in the UK.  I wished to put down in writing an individual outline and perspective of the activities upon which we were engaged, before they disappear into the mists of time, and to share some very happy, positive memories with all who have made this experience possible, and also with those that may just like to see that there are some students who really do want to make an effort, and a difference in life.  A very big “thank you” to the respective College’s Administration Teams and also to the accompanying Tutors who continue to make this all a possible, safe and very worthwhile experience indeed.

Diary of Events

Thursday 1st May 0845 hrs:  Arrived at College to undertake the all important checks such as Passports, EHIC Cards and a weight check of the baggage to comply with the 15kg allowance of Ryanair, our carrier for the journey directly into Bremen.  There were 6 Level 2 students and also 2 previous students (now fully employed at trade) who were involved in the project from the previous year.  We were all introduced to each other and, with all present and correct, we then headed to the front of the college, Carl Black leading and Steve Leonard as Tail End Charlie, ensuring that none of us dropped anything or wandered off along the way.  Upon reaching the front of college we saw our coach was already waiting so we boarded straight away, and off we were whisked to Manchester Airport Terminal 3, for the start of a thoroughly enjoyable week indeed.

We arrived in Bremen on time and intact, and then set off to find our accommodation using a fantastic tram system that makes commuting a breeze compared to the UK.  The 2 Tutors, Steve and Carl and the 2 former students, Alex and Dillon, were rapidly accepted as veterans of the City and its topography, so we all stuck close to avoid any early geographical embarrassments.  From the moment of stepping out of the Terminal Building one becomes immediately aware of how things are “different” from the UK, the first being the relative quietness of a busy major City, due largely to the use of a tram system and fully integrated bicycle network as realistic alternatives to the use of the fossil fuelled automobile, another being the immediately noticeable lack of litter.  I do not believe the latter to be a testament of superior street maintenance, but more to do with the attitude and responsibility of the people who are ultimately responsible for it in the first instance - the inhabitants.  Having made one change at the City Centre (Domsheide) we disembarked after a total journey time of approximately 40 minutes, at our very well equipped and comfortable accommodation of Zollhaus Bremen, our home for the next week of full-on activities and engagement in alternative life.  Having been issued with the door cards to our respective dormitories we duly selected our bunks, unpacked and began to get used to all being in a close living environment.  We eventually gathered in the reception later that evening, after the arrival of our reciprocating Tutor Thomas, who came baring tram passes.  My own bore the date of birth of 19th February 1995 (30 years off!), which gave me “great” cause to feel 18 again, and indeed most happy I can assure you!  After meeting and being instructed as to our morning objective of ”locality familiarisation” we all duly retired to our rooms in anticipation of the following days events, and promptly had a very comfortable and peaceful nights sleep (although apparently I snore - ahem)!

Friday 2nd May 0800 hrs:   Up, showered, dressed and presented for a continental breakfast of bread rolls, eggs, cold meats and cheeses, and a lovely fresh fruit cocktail with yoghurt, honey and all accompanied by coffee and orange juice.  Superb!  Proper setup for the days events to follow.  Having all gathered with tram passes in hands we then set off for the 2 minute walk to the tram stand for our journey into the historic Hanseatic City of Bremen, to acclimatise and orientate ourselves more fully.  We were given instructions to behave responsibly and, as to a time to reconvene at the centre later that day in order to head over to the “Flying Saucer” Science Museum.  The intervening period was generally spent at the central market purchasing souvenirs for loved ones back home and just having a “nosey” around.  

After reconvening we then headed over to the Flying Saucer for a very enjoyable experience indeed.  Some 200+ stands and attractions awaited, of which I “think” we covered most, although I can’t be sure!  I particularly enjoyed the “Human Perceptions Zone”, an example of which is where you are presented with a map of a room through which you are to navigate from entry to exit in complete darkness - only once you enter, the layout is not as previously imagined (sounds familiar - bit like life)?  Afterwards we headed back to the City Centre where we were given opportunity for a free wander.  The rest of the group wished to purchase some overnight munchies, however I informed the group I wished to head straight back to the accommodation, by jumping on a tram that was already waiting.  Unfortunately, after boarding, and the doors closing, it went in the opposite direction to which I had originally anticipated, and I ended up in an area 2 stops away that only comes to life at night.  Having realised my error, I promptly changed trams and direction, only to reach the tram stand I had previously boarded, to watch the doors open and receive a well behaved group of aspiring Vehicle Technicians carrying lots of munchies (ah well)!  We then made our way back to the guest house for a de-brief in the evening and then promptly felt the need for a good nights rest for the following days activities as notified. This was to consist of a visit to an area of the the City known as the “Snoor”.  This particular area of Bremen was devastated by the bombing of the RAF during the 2nd World War, an overlap of the bombing of Hamburg (some 50 km away), which practically raised that particular city, and its civilian inhabitants to the ground as a consequence (a sobering thought).  Let us please always move forward in peace at all times.  

Saturday 3rd May:  Morning routine established, we duly assembled for breakfast and prepared ourselves for the day ahead.  Tram passes in hand, we headed off for the “Snoor Area” of Bremen, an area of multiple buildings rebuilt in extremely tight proximity to one another.  Were someone to visit our shores in the UK, it would probably be best described by an American as “Gee, that’s quaint”! Notwithstanding the historical context and background of events that led to its re-creation of course!  Beautiful and stunning are the only words that come to mind for myself.  I myself have a very sweet tooth, and in terms of ice cream and sweet shops, this place has it sewn up! There are magicians (Illusionists) practicing their arts at random corners and junctions throughout the quarter, with an extremely high degree of proficiency and entertainment value, to the point that Jack Rees had Euros coming out of his nose!  We concluded the day with a game of football next to the River Weser, from which I abstained, due to having two left feet when it comes to this particular sport!  However Carl Black was more than capable of filling a gap, and Steve Leonard proved to be an un-faultable scorekeeper, to prevail over the Level 2 World Cup event unfolding before us all! Having thoroughly enjoyed our day, and with most physically exhausted, we made our way back to the accommodation via the “feet” and “tram” method, now becoming most familiar.  Later that evening we all went back into Bremen for a Chinese meal to celebrate the 18th Birthday of Alex Simon, during which I found the confidence to try and rekindle my basic knowledge of the German language, and managed to successfully separate the drinks bill from the food bill.  Most Happy indeed, although hampered by Euros and a previous loss of spectacles!  We then decided to head over to a venue which dedicated itself to playing loud thumping tunes, to which I found myself dancing my pants off to (not literally), and thoroughly living up to the revised date of birth on my tram pass!  Having all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves we duly headed off back to the accommodation, ready for a “Sunday O’Clock” rise for breakfast the following day.

Sunday 4th May:   Sunday was observed in its Worldwide tradition as a day of rest and recuperation.  For myself it was spent quietly, either reading in the Sun on the balcony, or in the full inverted prone position on my bunk.  We all went out for a meal later that evening and were informed as to our itinerary the following day, which was to consist of a visit to our reciprocating College in Bremen, during which we would all interact in a days session of Motor Vehicle Studies, both in German and English.  With this in mind we all then set off back to the accommodation for a good nights rest in anticipation of the following days activities to follow.

Monday 5th May:   Having all gathered for breakfast we then set off on foot for the very short and convenient walk to the College, for a day in German/English Motor Vehicle Tuition.  By comparison to our facilities back at Coleg Cambria, the buildings and presentational facilities were basic, yet totally sufficient and extremely effective. We were joining a German Level 1 group, whose knowledge and proficiency (I would say) exceeded that of our Level 2 in the UK.  Their exams are all written and last between 4 to 6 hours at a time (no multiple choice - you either know it - or you do not)!  All German students are competing for placements with manufacturers and dealerships such as Mercedes, BMW and Volkswagen, all of which have a prominent footing in Bremen.  There were five or six grouped tables of German students, between which we were all distributed.  I opted to fly solo, due to my relative advancement of manifested years, and very basic grasp of the German language, whilst the others were grouped in pairs for the duration of the session.  Each group was assigned a written Motor Vehicle related scenario in German, which the German students then had to try and communicate to us, using their impressive knowledge of English, after which we all then collaborated upon a solution, ready for a group presentation back to the entire assembled class, in both German and English at the conclusion of the days activities.  A thoroughly enjoyable (and humorous) day which I will happily remember forevermore!  Sadly I have no photographs, as I was totally immersed with the activities to hand, however it was an experience that I can only recommend to anyone to attempt to undertake, should they ever be offered such an opportunity in their respective futures.  The experience left me humbled (and feeling slightly ignorant and frustrated), to the point of the consideration of formally studying the German Language further at some point in the future at Coleg Cambria (timetable and labour permitting of course)!

Tuesday 6th May:  We started the day with a combined tram and bus ride to an industrial area of the city, where the BMW Dealership we were visiting was situated.  Unfortunately, on the way, I incurred the wrath of an irate German lady pensioner, who objected to my standing in front of the tram doors, by the ringing of a very large bell behind me on her shopping trolley, indicating she wanted to get off! This gave rise to much humour across 2 entire carriages, who witnessed her stealth tactics, upon which I moved very sharply to one side accordingly! Upon our arrival at the BMW dealership we were split into 2 groups for a “full” tour, led by an Apprentice of Bremen College, Alex, and also accompanied by the German Students and their Tutors from the previous days activities.  Photographs were not permitted inside of the premises for privacy and trading reasons, which became very clear as we moved through all the functional departments of the business.  It was very well organised and we were even given opportunity to briefly view a BMW diagnostics scanner on a vehicle presented for diagnosis.  A most interesting and thoroughly enjoyable experience indeed, and I thank our colleagues and host for making such arrangements and access possible to such a prestigious environment.  At the conclusion of our visit we then parted from our German colleagues for the day, and made the journey back into Bremen for a tour of the Focke Museum.  This was a very interesting museum, probably the only museum in the world that also happens to contain examples of some of the most advanced alternatively fueled vehicles in the world, including a Hydrogen Car.  Only in Germany is this possible!

From the outset of entry into the museum we were quite sternly informed that photographs were not permitted, presumably due to the nature and the age of some of the historical paintings and other fragile artifacts of the City of Bremen that were on display in other levels of the Museum, which were very extensive.  However my camera inadvertently and repeatedly kept taking photographs (with no flash) whilst undertaking the tour and here, I present a few that inadvertently ended up on my memory card!  What is done is done - right (ahem)?  (Sorry, but it is positive and beneficial for all to share positive and beneficial “stuff”, providing one does so with complete and absolute positive intent)!  Quite a few of the exhibits in our particular field of interest were also interactive, with either voice or animated and translated descriptions, which was most beneficial to the European tourist or visitor.  It would appear that war, and the fear that it always brings, has always interfered with the beneficial progress of humankind - no shocks there, yet here we are again in 2014 AD, presented with a realistic opportunity to transcend the primary use of fossil fuels for our day to day transportational needs - and guess what appears to be looming on our horizons (if you follow the news)?  “Now” is always the time for change, and this time, in my own opinion, it’s going through, providing we all have the courage to stand together in the acceptance of peace over war, of saying “No” to the domination of the many for the profit of a few.  All that we require is already provided for us by our natural environment, it is up to us (the majority) to accept it, re-cognise it, embrace it, demand it and harness it responsibly.  The technology is already here, and always has been.  Let us always use it peacefully.  Such examples of this technology are the hydrogen car, which admittedly, would currently be a “high risk” one to test under current NCAP conditions, and yet it is here and already being developed for further use.  The images to the left and right above are a floor and bonnet “cut-away” of the hydrogen car which was on display, and from which we were not permitted to get too close, presumably for fear of damaging the paintwork!  After my recent experiences of using a tram, I heeded their advice accordingly!  There was also an example of an all-electric plug-in “smart car”, and also an example of an all electric “plug-in” moped/scooter, which I particularly would wish to try out - no chance at present unfortunately!  As with all “new technologies”, there always comes the initial hefty price tag to fund its necessary future development as the norm - bring it on I say!  Present us openly and honestly with all the choices to make, and we (the majority) shall make them so.  There were also quite a few examples of electrically powered and assisted bicycles (Pedelecs), which looked great fun and practical to ride, and would take the physical strain out of any bicycle commute, especially within busy traffic congested cities.  They would also benefit those who chose to commute into Cities from outlying rural areas.  The benefits of these alternative vehicles are staggeringly profound, both in terms of protecting the environment and the atmosphere of our fragile planet, and also safeguarding the health and wellbeing of its inhabitants.  Having all had a thoroughly busy and interesting day, we all headed back to the Centre for a slap-up meal, and then back to our accommodation for a very well earned rest and good nights sleep indeed.

Wednesday 7th May:   This was to be our last full day in Bremen and it was spent at the Football Stadium of SV Werder Bremen (Weserstadion), who compete in the Deutsche Bundesliga, Germany's equivalent of the UK’s Premiership League.  We met up with our reciprocating Tutors and Students outside of the Stadium and were then introduced to our official guide, who spoke exceptionally good English.  The tour started in the changing room of the Away Teams, which was equipped to a very high standard, including a huge jacuzzi, showering facilities, and a medical treatment room (with multiple sockets for hair dryers, for the readjustment of radical new hairstyles, and a bench for broken nails and makeup etc - (Sorry, that would be Premiership League of course)!  Ahem - anyway, from here we were then taken to the Press Room where we were all given opportunity to sit at the Press Desk for a rare photographic opportunity.  Even I could not resist the temptation!  After the Press Room we were then escorted through the tunnel out into the main arena itself, although we were not permitted onto the immaculately maintained pitch for obvious preservational reasons.  We were given a full explanation as to the various seating and standing capacities of the stadium, which were considerably smaller than those of the Premiership, and also of some of the others in the Bundesliga. There was therefore, a significant difference in the reduced level of money involved in paying its team and, subsequently this was duly reflected in its more realistic and affordable season ticket prices.

The Club would appear to attain ¾ capacity for most of its events, so its size and capacity was therefore a realistic reflection of its actual needs.

The Club also utilises Solar Panel Technology, integrated into the glass that surrounds ¾ of the outer sides of stadium, the energy produced from which is sold to the utilities companies, and then is bought back at a significant reduction, which makes good ecological and commercial sense.  

We were then escorted to the substitutes bench area at the side of the pitch for yet another rare photographic opportunity, again from which I could not refrain myself from indulging in!  We were then escorted into the upper range of the Stadium to view the commentary and media coverage areas, and then given a rare opportunity for a look into one of the more basically equipped, yet adequately comfortable VIP boxes, which had a very good view of the pitch below.  Significant revenue is generated from the use of these facilities, which helps to supplement the vast costs of operating a large and high profile sporting venue, such as the Werder Bremen Stadium.  Our tour concluded with a visit to the Clubs Museum, which is securely vaulted within the Stadium itself.  It housed trophies, artefacts and memorabilia, which traced and recorded the Clubs history from its formation in 1899, through to the present day.  There was also an exhibit of a club fan’s car (a Trabant I think) which was duly emblazoned with the clubs traditional colours, and even listed its most notable victories and achievements upon it (I’m still unsure as to how they managed to get it through the door and down 3 flights of stairs without scratching it)!

Having thanked our guide, and saying a “big thankyou” and farewell to our reciprocating Tutors and Students, we then set off to get the tram back into the Centre for something to eat.  With our return to the UK in the morning looming in all of our minds, we then  boarded the tram back to our accommodation.  We subsequently decided that we would then all go back into Bremen later that evening, for a few social drinks, and to reflect upon a weeks worth of very happy memories and activities indeed.  Unfortunately the battery in my camera became depleted to a critical level, and this was the last image that was captured of our most memorable journey together.

Thursday 8th May:  Having all gathered for a final continental breakfast, the remaining time was spent packing, and ensuring that our rooms were left in a respectable order, ready for our departure later that day.  We each ensured that we had our Passports and travel documents to hand, and then left all of our Euro coins in the rooms for the cleaning staff, who had looked after us so well during our stay.  It was then the final 2 subdued tram rides back to the airport, in order to arrive and book in on time for our return back to the UK.  A thoroughly enjoyable experience from start to finish, one that will never be forgotten.  Truly appreciated and thank you so very much to one and all involved.