In conversation with Antonia von der Schulenburg - March 2025

Online interview with Antonia von der Schulenburg - The former Schloss-Schule pupil attended boarding school from year 10 and successfully completed her Abitur in Kirchberg in 2021. Immediately afterwards, she trained as a horse farmer and is currently studying agriculture in Göttingen. At the Schloss-Schule, she has developed a professional orientation for herself and is currently in the process of turning her passion and hobby, working with horses, into a career.

What is the first thing that spontaneously comes to mind when you think of your time at the Schloss-Schule?
The first thing that comes to mind is the school grounds. I always felt very comfortable here and spent a lot of time with friends. We often sat and talked for a long time after dinner until we were "kicked out" at some point. The time you spend together at boarding school is really intense and very special. I remember many wonderful times!
Riding can also be integrated much more flexibly into everyday life at the boarding school. The short distances are very practical and the numerous joint activities are unforgettable for me.

Can you tell us something about your schooling before you came to the SK?
I went to elementary school in our town and then to grammar school. Everything went smoothly until senior school, but then I had difficulties with my teachers and my grades got worse. I then started looking for alternatives myself and came across the Schloss-Schule on the internet. I was particularly interested in the horse riding program, as I was already a keen rider back then. That's why I decided at short notice to switch to the 10th grade at Schloss-Schule after the fall break.

What has changed in Kirchberg? And how were you able to combine and organize your equestrian sport with everyday life at boarding school?
The teachers at the Schloss-Schule were much more attentive to the students and you could get much more individual support here. The sense of community and "working together towards a goal" was also much more noticeable at the Schloss-Schule. When I think back, I quickly felt comfortable and found my way around, which was also due to the small classes. I soon became part of the community.
It was much easier for me to integrate riding into my everyday life at the boarding school than at home, because everything is so easily accessible - the school, the boarding school, the stables. That makes an incredible difference, I had much more time. During sixth form, it was even possible for me to go riding before school or during free periods. I really enjoyed the freedom and the trust that was placed in me! It made everyday life much easier for me to organize and structure. During my time at the Schloss-Schule, I was also able to ride in competitions, attend riding courses and earn riding badges. The support and opportunities I received in riding were enormous and that really helped me personally!

What have you found formative? What values, life lessons and other things still guide you today?
The togetherness and mutual support were formative for me. I hadn't experienced the community spirit and the real "we-feeling" like that before the Schloss-Schule. Also, the fact that people support each other.
What I also noticed is that living at the boarding school made me much more structured and independent than others my age. That helped me a lot when I started my apprenticeship and also now with my studies.

What happened after the SK? In riding too?
I did an apprenticeship as an equestrian immediately after leaving school. I successfully completed this after two years. Now I'm studying agriculture in Göttingen. I'm currently in my 4th semester. After my bachelor's degree, I could well imagine a stay abroad and then I would also like to do a master's degree.
Of course, riding is still with me. I give riding lessons and am very involved. Sometimes I would like to have a bit more time to sit in the saddle myself, but I'm sure that will come back...

If you've ever had a class or year group reunion, what stories and anecdotes should not be missed?
I can't think of any specific stories or situations off the top of my head. But what I like to remember is the feeling that you are somehow your own little community at boarding school. You develop your own terms for some things, sometimes like a kind of language of your own, which led to lots of jokes and funny situations in everyday life. By living together, you are very close and you know each other very well. It's simply a very intimate connection.

What are you grateful for?
The Schloss-Schule was a real stroke of luck for me personally! I had intensive and very goal-oriented support in the area of riding. I probably wouldn't have done so well in my A-levels at another school. And the opportunity to pursue my passion for riding in this way has also made my career aspirations and my future path very clear in the last semester at school. I have now chosen this path and feel very comfortable with my decision. I am very happy about this and extremely grateful that everything has worked out for me!

Looking back on your time at school, what would you do differently today?
I would perhaps have done other clubs or another sport, because there were many offers that I would have liked to have tried out afterwards.

Would you like to support the school and the current students?
If so, what could you imagine doing?
I can well imagine being there as a contact person for young people interested in riding and telling them about my experiences. Even now, I am still in contact with the boarding school and have only recently been able to get to know new castle students. I could also imagine, if there is interest, giving a talk about my path after the Schloss-Schule.