Im Sommer 2025 nahmen fünfzig Kinder von Mitarbeitenden unserer Partnerunternehmen an den unternehmenseigenen Austauschprogrammen teil – organisiert im Rahmen von CoFam. Die Teilnehmenden kamen aus dreizehn Ländern in Europa, Asien, Nord- und Südamerika. Sie lebten in Gastfamilien, erlebten den Alltag in einem anderen Land und knüpften internationale Freundschaften, die bleiben.

Ein herzlicher Dank an alle Teilnehmenden für ihre Offenheit, Neugier und Gastfreundschaft – und an die Unternehmen, die diese einzigartigen Austauscherlebnisse möglich machen. Die folgenden Impressionen geben Einblicke in einige Momente dieses Jahres.

Lila (Germany-USA): „We spent a day on another lake nearby, where we went boating. These outings helped me bond even more with the family, because they were perfect for chatting, sharing stories, and just enjoying the moment together. Throughout these two weeks, I was struck by how kind and open-minded the people I met were. I had conversations with teens, adults, and extended family members. I learned about their lives, dreams, and everyday routines. The warm welcome I received made me feel comfortable very quickly, and I’m really grateful for that.“

Felix (Canada-Germany): „I learned some of German history, which I found very interesting, especially the history of Berlin. What I will take on to my future life is that even though I live in Canada, there are still so many places in the world with so much history that I do not know about, that would be amazing to visit.“

Matteo (Germany-Canada): „What was great was that my exchange partner and I had so many shared interests! Highlights of the exchange included watching whales, visiting Vancouver City, and jumping with Felix off cliffs into a lake — and many times doing flips off a pier into the sea.“

Boyang (China- France): „Before leaving, my expectations of France were shaped almost entirely by the “stock images” found in books, films, and mass media. I pictured romance beneath the Eiffel Tower, the bustle of the Champs-Élysées, the awe of the Louvre, and the ever-present aroma of coffee and warm butter. Yet, beneath these clichés, I secretly longed to see past the tourist lens and touch a more “real” France—one that lives not only in Parisian museums but in the daily rhythms of ordinary people.“

Evan (France-China): „The most unusual experience with my host family was eating with chopsticks, as well as noticing the discreet and serious nature of the family.
What I will remember most is the kindness and hospitality of the host family, with whom I was able to share unforgettable moments. This experience reinforced my desire to travel and continue discovering new cultures.“

Max (Germany-Thailand): „In the afternoons, we sometimes went to the market together. There was a wide variety of fruit, including rare or unfamiliar kinds for me, such as mangoes, papayas, durian, and dragon fruit. I was allowed to try everything and liked it all – except durian.
My host family had prepared a separate room for me, which actually belonged to my little host sister. I found that incredibly generous, because even though space in the house was limited, they wanted to give me a place of my own.“

Jennifer (USA-Germany): „I think either on the first day or the second Sejla took me into Hamburg and it was very cool. The cities I saw in Germany are very different from those in America. In America every city or town is built to center cars. And in Germany it’s the opposite so just the structure and layout was so much more different than where I live. Before I arrived I rarely ever used public transport and I’d only once or twice been on a train, but it was nice and easy to get around that way, you don’t have to find someone to drive you or pay for gas money.“

Sejla (Germany-USA): „In the United States, many teenagers can get their driver’s license at the age of sixteen — a time when young people in Germany are only just starting to think about it. This early mobility gives them a strong sense of independence. It’s normal to meet up with friends by car and drive somewhere together, rather than getting around on foot or by bike as we usually do. There, the car is not just a means of transportation but also a symbol of freedom and self-reliance.“

Cecilia’s parents (Italy-Spain): „We were all supported in this project; the children had the opportunity to have an initial meeting thanks to the calls arranged before departure, and we parents also had the opportunity to discuss and prepare for the welcome of our new host. The day of departure arrived… it was wonderful to see how our daughter was welcomed. Marta and her entire family were fantastic!! They treated our daughter like part of their family, fulfilling her every wish, even unspoken ones. Then our daughter’s return home with Marta was very emotional. A beautiful friendship was born between Cecilia and Marta. Having Marta at home with us was a wonderful experience; we welcomed her like a daughter. It was exciting to immerse her in our culture, to visit cities of art, and to savor the delicacies of Italian cuisine. We spent 15 beautiful, intense, and fun days. […] We’re sure this new friendship will continue over time, and the girls are already making plans to meet again.“

Cecilia: I was warmly welcomed by Marta’s family, who showed up at the airport with a
‚Welcome Cecilia‘ sign: a simple yet meaningful gesture that immediately allayed my fears of
integration and allowed me to begin the experience with peace of mind. our final goodbyes were difficult, a sign of a genuine bond born from this opportunity. Altana Connect wasn’t just a cultural exchange, but a tangible opportunity for personal growth, openness, and international friendship. I’m grateful for what I experienced and hope to soon be able to embrace Marta and her
family again and return to what I now consider my second home: Spain.“

Parent of Alice (Italy-China): „This initiative allowed me to connect with a special colleague from the other side of the world, strengthening my sense of belonging to our global company. But even more beautifully, it brought our entire family into a new atmosphere of cultural exchange and human connection.

Welcoming a wonderful girl from the East into our home was a deeply enriching experience. My husband, our other child, my parents, my sister, and my nephews — we all felt part of something bigger. It was as if the world had come to visit us, and we were able to share our lives, our traditions, and our hearts.“