GERMAN exchange students at Bendigo Senior Secondary College and Crusoe College will bid farewell to their host schools this week.
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The students will return to Ingolstadt, Germany, after six weeks of immersing themselves in Australian life.
Student Arlene Maeisel, who attended Crusoe College, said the highlight of the exchange was visiting Sydney and going whale watching.
Theresa Kastl, who attended BSSC, said she loved the fact the school was in the city centre.
"We could go to town any time we wanted to and the teachers were really nice," she said.
She said her English had improved during her stay in Australia.
BSSC German teacher Meg Randles said the exchange students formed relationships they would keep for life.
"It's an amazing experience ... they make international contacts for life," she said.
"I did an exchange in Germany and I still keep in contact with my exchange partner.
"It's the school experience and the school exchange.
"They get to see how our system functions."
She said Crusoe College and BSSC had long and successful relationships with Katharinen-Gymnasium, the German school the students attended.
She said Bendigo students also completed exchange trips to Germany, which they thoroughly enjoyed.
"I hope it's ongoing for a very long time because it's a phenomenal partnership we've struck with this school," she said.