Lower Austrian News (NÖN) - Article

News article translated by Microsoft Translator

Created on 06 May 2026 | 11:30
Reading time: 2 min

For two weeks, students of the Mary Ward-Gymnasium St. Pölten immersed themselves in the language and culture of the USA. The intensive language trip took class 6a to Washington, D.C., and to St. Pölten's twin town of Altoona in Pennsylvania.

From March 20 to April 2, 2026, class 6a of the Mary Ward-Gymnasium St. Pölten undertook an intensive language trip to the United States. The students were accompanied by their English professor Markus Reichel and class leader Alexandra Gaßner-Novak. The aim of the trip, which had been planned for almost two years, was to deepen English language skills, gain intercultural experience and gain insights into everyday life in the USA.

The first part of the trip took the group to Washington, D.C. There were numerous cultural and historical program items on the agenda. Among other things, the Capitol and the Library of Congress were visited. As part of a hop-on hop-off tour, the young people explored the US capital, visited a museum and took a trip to the Georgetown district.

Cultural highlights in Washington

On Tuesday, the transfer to Altoona in the state of Pennsylvania, which has been a twin city of St. Pölten for more than 25 years, took place. The students were accommodated there in host families, who took them in on a voluntary basis. In addition to staying with the families, an extensive excursion program awaited the group.

Facilities visited included the Penn State Altoona, part of the largest in-person university in the United States, the historic Baker Mansion, the Horseshoe Curve – a well-known railroad bend on the Pittsburgh–Harrisburg line – as well as the Railroad Museum and the Altoona Curve Baseball Stadium. Another focus was on school attendance: Depending on the host family, the young people took part in classes at Altoona Area High School, Bishop Guilfoyle High School or Hollidaysburg Junior/Senior High School.

Insights into everyday life and the school system

As part of the long-standing town twinning, a festive ceremony with the Twin Towns Committee was also held at Penn State Altoona. The connection between St. Pölten and Altoona was appreciated. Among the travel companions were Edwin Flatschart and Alexander Heihs. Ingrid Heihs took part as an envoy of the mayor of St. Pölten.

Special thanks went to the Sister City Committee, led by Bonnie DeLozier, as well as Mayor Matthew Pacifico. They organized the excursions and guided tours in and around Altoona, which meant that they could be carried out free of charge for the school class. The trip also received media attention: The students Ela Yildiz and Anisa Mehmedovic as well as educator Reichel gave an interview to the television station WTAJ-TV, which can be accessed online. In addition, a newspaper report about the stay was published.