Tenth graders at LiG Cuxhaven: Social internship for social responsibility!

Tenth graders at LiG Cuxhaven: Social internship for social responsibility!

The new school year for tenth graders has begun at the Lichtenberg-Gymnasium in Cuxhaven. A particular concern of the teachers and school management is the social internship, which has been firmly anchored in the school program in this form since 2017. Already in the first school year it becomes a matter of course for the students to get involved in the community for over 20 hours. The idea for this internship comes from the teacher Juliane Kopp and receives great support from the religion department and the values ​​and norms department. Headmaster Martin Rehermann supports the concept and sees it as a valuable opportunity to promote volunteer work and awareness of voluntary work in society.

Thanks to the positive feedback from the placement sites, including senior citizens' residences and the children's hospice association, initial concerns regarding the time burden on the students have now been moved away. The internships can be completed flexibly in one piece or over a set period of time, depending on the wishes of the respective institutions. Many students even get involved in social organizations beyond the internship, which impressively shows the impact of such activities.

Wide range of possible uses

The internships offer a wide range of possible applications. Students can work in church communities, clubs, social associations, sports clubs or ecological institutions. This diversity ensures that every student finds a place that matches their interests and learns important values ​​such as empathy and self-efficacy. The social internship is not just a compulsory part of the school curriculum, but a real field of experience for the young people.

In addition to the social internship, there are also international exchange projects at the Lichtenberg-Gymnasium as part of Erasmus+. There has been cooperation with partner schools in Turkey and Spain since 2014. This offers students the opportunity to broaden their horizons and develop intercultural skills.

Musical as part of the intercultural week

Another highlight of this school year is the final performance of the musical “Limitless! – The Flying Classroom 2.0” on September 26th in the LiG Forum. This musical will be part of the Intercultural Week and shows collaboration between young people from three nations. Monika Bokemeyer, who has been teaching at Lichtenberg-Gymnasium since 2001, organizes the musical and has many important tasks, including responsibility for Erasmus+ projects.

If you would like to explore the possibilities of the Erasmus+ program, you can also find out about funding for internships abroad. This program opens doors for students and promotes the acquisition of important skills for the world of work. The experience that can be gained abroad is priceless and enriches one's CV. Anyone who is interested in further developing their entrepreneurial and intercultural skills should definitely take a look at the topic Erasmus+ offers helpful support here.

The federal government also supports programs such as the European Solidarity Corps, which enables young people to get involved in charitable projects abroad. These valuable experiences allow you to explore the world while contributing to society. Whether in the social sector, in children's homes or in national parks - the options are diverse here there is more information about it.

Overall, the Lichtenberg-Gymnasium shows with its various projects that they not only provide students with academic knowledge, but also important life skills. In this way, each individual is encouraged to take responsibility for society and discover their own strengths.