Students Explore Chicago with a German Twist

A group of 37 students and adults traveled to Chicago last Saturday, Dec. 9 to experience the annual Christkindlmarket, a German Christmas Market on the streets of downtown.

The trip is led every year by German teacher Linda Havas and has been a tradition for her for a long time.

“I have been taking students to the Christkindlmarkt for over 10 years. I started taking them when I taught at Homestead High School in Mequon and then continued the tradition when I arrived in Greendale in 2011,” she said.

While the market is a German tradition, students do not have to be in German to join the group.  Beyond the market itself, students are encouraged to explore the other amazing shopping and sightseeing opportunities the city has to offer.

“I like the Christkindlmarkt because it provides a little slice of Germany here in the USA. My German friends have said that the Christkindlmarkt in Chicago is very much like the markets in Germany,” Havas said.  “I also like this trip because it allows students to explore beyond the Christmas market. Other places students visit include Millennium Park, the Art Institute of Chicago and the historic Macy’s in downtown Chicago.  Plus, there are plenty of opportunities to go shopping in the Loop.”

In addition to all the excitement of the city, there are other aspects of the trip that make it special for students.

“My favorite part of the trip is Frau Havas’ cookies that she gives us,” junior Miles Montenegro, who has taken advantage of this opportunity since his freshman year, said.

There are many other students for whom this trip has become an annual tradition.

“I’ve gone every year since I’ve been here and it’s been fun every year,” junior Helena Taavo said.  

Beyond the experience itself, Havas believes this trip is well worth the cost of $35 per student.

“Beyond all of the other great reasons above, joining this journey is a great way to go to Chicago without having to worry about driving or the cost of parking or the train (which is over $50). We leave right from school and have a coach bus so we get to ride in comfort,” she said.

Those who have taken advantage of the opportunity definitely recommend it to other students.

“You can pretty much pick whatever you would like to do there which is nice,” Taavo said.

Montenegro agrees.

“It’s fun to hang out with your friends and walk around downtown Chicago,” he said.

Overall, the annual trip to Christkindlmarket is a wonderful opportunity for any student to take advantage of.