Some Facts on Graustein's Academy for Young Wizards and Witches

If you haven't read the introductory feature on Graustein's Academy for Young Wizards and Witches, you can do so here, but this post is about some more facts you certainly didn't know about the hidden school in the Austrian Alps, which is for magical students from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. 

Every school has its own rules and quirks, even though they all mostly resemble the oldest school ever created - Hogwarts. 
Graustein's Academy, too, was heavily influenced by the ancient school in the north of the UK, yet there are some distinct differences and extra facts you should not miss about the German magic school. 

Instead of seven years of study, Graustein's Academy spans over eight years, the last year focusing on Graustein's special magic - Ice Magic. Generally, students can leave the school with seventeen and also come full-of-age then, but most opt to study an extra year an hone their skills in the much coveted Ice Magic. 
Aged seventeen, the students take the GMR (Generelle Magische Reife = General Magical Maturity) with which they officially finish their general magical education. After another year of study, they also obtain the EMA (Eismagie Auszeichnung = Ice Magic Award).

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Graustein's Academy does not have four houses, but the students are sorted into the four elements air, earth, water and fire. Generally, magic in the German-speaking diaspora is still closely connected with nature and the elements. 
The students spend their first year in the Academy where they start their basic education. At the end of the year, there is a sorting ceremony, in which the students choose the element which translates best to their powers. Students can be advised by teachers which element matches them best, but the choice is entirely the student's. 
The four elements are related to the character of the student, rather than the powers itself. However, it was stated by Graustein that our powers are tied to our emotions and character and therefore some spells may work better for fire or water than air or earth, and vice versa.

Companionship and support among the four elements, unlike in Hogwarts, are strongly advised by the school and students are required to help another and also work together closely, as Graustein is convinced only a combination of the elements can master truly magnificent magic. ​​

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In in Austria, Germany or Switzerland, eagles are much more likely to deliver the post than owls because they are native birds there and very strong, which means they can lift heavy parcels and some very skilled exemplars even unconscious people. ​

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Stay tuned for more Graustein content and a feature on the four elements.