If you had told me before I joined the BJC that I would be taking part in a foreign exchange programme in my mid-thirties, and that the people I would meet would very quickly become dear friends, I would not have believed you!
I’m writing this from Berlin airport waiting to fly home after an incredible weekend with our friends in the Wirstschaftsjunioren Hanseraum (Hannover Junior Chamber or WJH). Along with nine other members, the Bristol Junior Chamber spent the weekend in Hannover staying in our German counterparts’ homes and seeing all that Hannover has to offer!
So, what did we get up to whilst we were there? After what seemed like a very long journey, we were met at Hannover train station by the WJH members. It was so lovely to have them there to greet us when we stepped off the train, and in all honesty it felt like yesterday that they were in Bristol, sampling all that our City has to offer. In fact, even for those members that hadn’t met the WJH members before, they said it was like greeting old friends! That said, there was no time to spare and we were quickly whisked away for welcome drinks at a nearby bar. This presented a lovely opportunity for us all to reacquaint ourselves ahead of a jam-packed weekend of activities!
We woke-up on Friday morning and met for breakfast in the glorious German sunshine. This was a chance to talk about all things BJC and WJC and compare notes on what makes a good membership organisation! It was not long however before we ventured to our first team-building activity of the weekend – an escape room! With mixed teams, there may well have been reason to suggest that the teams of four would face some communication barriers in their attempt to find freedom. Alas, all teams worked very well together and all successfully escaped their rooms, albeit with mine of course being the winning team…!
Afterwards we went for lunch, and I tried my very first doner kebab (yes I am being serious)! I would need it for the next activity of the day which was a Walking tour of the City of Hannover.
Our guide for the afternoon had spent his Erasmus year in Bristol in the early 00’s and so was keen to know what had changed, and how the City was doing. We talked about the impact of WW2 on Hannover, and how it was left decimated by the many air raids that took place at the time. There were some fascinating links between the Hannoverian royal family and our very own royal family here in England. My favourite ‘tale’ of the tour though had to be the capture of the gold Leibniz biscuit which was taken from the Bahlsen headquarters. A ransom for its return was then issued by none other than the cookie monster! In the evening we went for some traditional German schnitzel (we couldn’t go to Germany and not go for schnitzel) followed by dancing!
We then took some time to explore the City before it was time to go to the Maschseefest; the largest festival in Eastern Germany. I wasn’t sure what to expect – but this was incredible! It was 2km of pop up bars, clubs and restaurants. We were even joined by their Club 39 members (yes they also have 39’ers) and it was great to hear more about their trips to Bristol. The night saw us eat, drink and dance until the early hours as we enjoyed all that Hannover had to offer.
And so almost as soon as our trip had started, it was time for our final supper, where we debriefed on the night before and planned our next exchange. It’s always weirdly emotional saying goodbye to our German friends, but we’re hoping to see them before the next official exchange in VP Connor’s year.
I’ve had the best weekend, and would wholeheartedly recommend the trip to any member. The members of the WJH truly are warm, welcoming, and will go out of their way to make us feel at home. I can really understand why our club 39 members still see their Hannoverian counter parts many years later, and only hope that we can replicate the experience for them when they venture to Bristol in September 2025!
Thank you to the WJH for all the memories and for being such wonderful hosts! I’m already counting down the days until next year…
