for Zeit Online, July 2019

the last big holidays

They are 17, 18, 19, they have their high school diploma and now they have to grow up alone. To make it hurt less, the 34 high school graduates from Karlsruhe have booked one last trip together to the beach of Novalja – a “graduation trip”. One week, all inclusive with travel, accommodation and parties. About 15 years ago, tour operators invented graduation trips. Standard destinations are Lloret de Mar and Calella in Spain.

In the meantime, it got so overcrowded that the organizers have looked for new places. In Novalja, there is a beach and clubs and food stalls – apart from that not so much. But what more do you need if you just want to be together? When you're 18 and can finally forget all the unnecessary facts you learned in chemistry class?

for Zeit Online, July 2019