Evaluation of overseas travel for the purposes of education. This was for the German American Partnership Program. Most of the slides are the student's impression; last few discuss the parent's evaluation

1. GAPP 2012!
Bonnie Worstell

2. German-American Partnership
Program
• The GAPP supports partnerships and exchanges
between high schools in the U.S. and schools in
Germany.

3. German-American Partnership
Program
• Our family hosted a German student in April as a part of
the exchange. This summer she hosted me.
• .

4. What I thought Germany would
be like…
• I thought I wouldn’t know any German. At all.
• I wouldn’t be a bit homesick.
• 5 weeks was going last FOREVER.
• Every historical part of our trip would be boring.
• I would die from all the walking we were
expected to do.
• I wouldn’t enjoy any of my classes in Köln.

5. In actuality…
• I really did know quite a bit of German, and was
able to pick up on a lot.
• I became more independent…but I REALLY missed
home.
• 5 weeks went super fast.
• I REALLY enjoyed many of the historical sights and
tours we experienced. I learned something new
EVERY day!
• I obviously didn’t die from the physical activity.
• I enjoyed many of the classes that I took in Köln and
learned a lot about the education system in
Germany.

6. Best Parts of the Trip…
• My favorite activities…..

7. The Euro Cup

8. The Schokoladen Museum

9. Spreewald

10. Pretzel-making

11. Heidelberg Hike

12. Hike from Torfhaus to Brocken

13. My Host Family!

14. Stefan Götz

15. Astrid Götz

16. Ramona Götz

17. About My Homestay…
• I learned a ton from my host family! They helped
me improve my language skills. I got to see
cultural differences between German and
American families.
• I felt like part of the family.
• I got to see inside the every day life of a typical
German family.

18. What I Learned…Language
• I learned how to order pretty much anything I
want to eat.
• I improved my grammar from listening to my
host family and students from Köln.
• I’m more confident speaking German in front of
people.
• I can understand so much more.

19. What I Learned…Culture
• I learned a lot of history and got to see many
historical places in Germany.
• I learned a few folk tales from the different
places we visited.
• And most importantly… I got to see the Germans
get extremely excited for SOCCER!

20. What I Learned…Traveling
• I learned to take care of my things and stay
organized.
• I learned to be more careful and aware of my
surroundings because my parents aren’t always
going to be watching my back.
• I learned how to budget.
• I learned to be more independent.

21. What I Learned…About People
in General
• Some people have habits that don’t match mine
and you have to learn to be flexible in situations.
• All people have the similar wants, dreams, and
goals whether they are from Germany or
America.
• Some Germans have very strong opinions that
don’t match American opinions.

22. What I Learned…About Myself
• I love art and architecture.
• I want to incorporate German into my job one
day.
• I want to study abroad (in Germany) during
college.
• I want to travel to Germany again, as often as
possible.

23. How this Experience Impacted
Me…
• I learned more about what I want to do in life; in
my career.
• I realized that sharing my beliefs is important, no
matter where I go.

24. Would I recommend this
experience to anyone?

25. My Advice to Parents…
• Make your student pay for part of the trip and
for all of their spending money. They will
appreciate it more and take in as much as
possible. And they won’t spend as much on
things they don’t need.

26. My Advice to Students…
“The World is a book, and those
who do not travel read only a
page.”
– St. Augustine
•Take this opportunity. You will never be able to
learn a language better than traveling to a country
where that language is spoken and just soaking it
up. Oh, and apply for the grant. Every little bit
helps. 

27. Parent Comments

28. What I See as a Parent...
• Independence and courage
• Budgeting skills
• Improved language skills
• Better appreciation of German (and U.S.) culture
• A desire to include German as a part of her
career goals

29. My Advice…
• Have your student “earn” a portion of the funds
for the trip. The trip means more to them and
they are more frugal with their money. At least
make them earn their “spending” money.
• Let them go…you will have a clearer vision of
what still needs to be learned by your student
before you send them off to college.