August | 2026
A year at Stein can change a great deal. One meets new people, gathers special experiences, and grows into a community. And most often, a school year becomes a connection that reaches far beyond. Isabel Gutiérrez and Katia Münch from Mexico are a wonderful example of this.
The two came to us at Stein for the 2024/25 school year. In Mexico they attend German schools and are therefore already familiar with the German school system. Life in Germany and especially daily life in the boarding school and the weather nevertheless brought many new experiences with them. With their open, curious, and warm manner, Isabel and Katia were quickly right in the middle of Steiner life. They were enthusiastic about nearly every sport, gladly tried new things, and found friendships that endure to this day despite the great distance.
“Katia and Isabel are a wonderful example of how our Mexican community, even if they are often only with us for a year, have become Steiners and gladly return to us, to their second home. Every summer it is truly painful for everyone involved to let them go again. All the more beautiful when they then come back for a few days, tell us what they are planning and how things have gone for them.”
Sebastian Ziegler | General Manager
Katia also impressed with her strong academic performance and was honored as the best in her class at the Summer Festival 2025. Isabel, in turn, delighted with her exceptional social competence, her positive presence, and her joy in being there for others. Both became, in their very own way, integral parts of our community and were equally beloved by students as well as by teachers and Educators.
This is precisely what defines the internationality of our school and boarding community: students from different countries come to Stein, bring their own experiences and perspectives, and at the same time become part of our shared daily life. They enrich our community and take a piece of Stein home with them.
Isabel and Katia thus became true Steiners. How much this connection has remained was shown particularly beautifully in the summer of 2026: Isabel returned for three weeks and completed her mandatory internship with us. She supported the sports teachers in lessons and in the Clubs. Katia visited Stein for a week and was immediately right back in the middle of boarding life, as if she had never been away. The interview was also conducted on this occasion.
What the two took away from their year at Stein, what has remained especially memorable for them, and why friendships and the “Steiner spirit” endure even across the distance, Isabel and Katia share in the interview:
A school year in pictures with Isabel & Katia:
“As so often, last July we were once again visited by former students from Mexico. Perhaps they enjoyed their year at Schloss Stein?
In July, Isabel came to us for three weeks to complete her mandatory internship. She supported the work of the sports teachers in class and took over training for some athletic Clubs. That really was perfect timing, as our tennis coach was out in July. Just as during her year with us, Isabel also stood out as a member of the Educators’ team thanks to her social competence, her consistently positive presence, and her joy in what she did.
Then Katia joined us for a week as well. After her university tour across Germany, she dove right back into our boarding school life as if she had never been away.
Despite plenty of work and action at the end of the school year, we were able to find time for exchange and many wonderful memories of our shared year 2024/25 at Schloss Stein.
When asked: ‘Girls, what have you forgotten from your Steiner year?’ Isabel replied, ‘Yesss … nooo … nothing at all!’ and Katia gave a convincing, ‘Nothing at all!!!’“
Martina Levannier | Director International Admissions
Summer 2026 with Isabel & Katia:
