FAQs

General Questions

• How long has the exchange been happening?

  • It has been happening since 1989.

• Who can participate in the exchange?

  • Any currently enrolled German student may participate in the exchange. We like to promote the exchange as a 10th grade exchange because the partners would be the same age. Usually, students have completed at least two years of German.

  • Students are able to travel after their 10th, 11th, and/or 12th grade years.

  • Students are able to host during any year of high school.

• How often do you travel?

  • The exchange happens every year. That means every fall, German students come to Grand Forks and every following summer, our hosting students travel to Remseck, Germany.

• How is this trip different from the other languages’ trips?

  • This trip is an exchange between two schools. The school in Remseck, Germany travels to Grand Forks in the fall of the academic year and the following summer, Grand Forks students travel to Remseck, Germany. The trip is basically a 3-week homestay. The schools each provide the students day trips in the area.

Hosting Questions

• What do we have to provide for the German student?

  • You need to provide their own bed, three meals a day, and transportation to and from GAPP activities. The German GAPP student basically becomes another member of the family. It is important to remember that American partners and families are NOT entertainers. Families do not need to put on a performance or be "perfect" to be hosts.

• Will a pull-out couch, air mattress, or futon work as a bed?

  • Short answer: No

  • Long answer: If the futon has a thick mattress that is good quality for sleeping on for 3 weeks, then yes. A pull-out couch is still a couch and an air mattress is temporary. An option would be to give the student from Germany the American partner's bed and the American partner can sleep on the pull-out couch or air mattress. If you don't think this is a solution, then you realize why it is not appropriate for a guest to sleep on those for 3 weeks.

• Do we have to go on a big trip while hosting?

  • No, you don’t have to go on a big trip. Many families choose to go to Minneapolis during the long weekend, but you don’t have to. Showing the German student around the area would be fine.

• Do I have to host to go to Germany?

  • No, you don’t have to, but we highly recommend it. Everyone’s home situation is different and some are unable to host. Just talk with your German teacher about the situation.

• What do I do if I'm involved in fall extra-curricular activities/sports or have a job?

  • 1. Activities/Sports: It may be interesting for your partner to visit practice once or twice, but after that, it may be boring. You can have your partner go with an American friend or family member. It is also helpful if you can hang out with other Americans with German partners.

  • 2. Job: It is recommended by past participants to limit your hours during the three-week stay, but it isn't always possible. You can take your partner to another American host's house to hang out or have your partner stay home. 

  • Basically, work with other American hosts to accommodate each other's schedules. Group activities are good.

• Are there any activities planned by the schools?

  • Yes! We have a Welcome Potluck the first weekend, go bowling as a large group, visit UND to tour campus and The Ralph, travel to Winnipeg for a day, visit the Middle Schools, have a day each at Central and Red River where all the Germans are there, and have a Farewell meal on departure day.

• What do the German partners do at school?

  • The German partners will follow their American partners to their classes. It may happen that the American partner has a test or quiz and the German partner would be better off in a different class. The German partner can go with someone else. The German partners also will be giving their presentations in various classes during the three weeks and will not be with their American partners.

• What happens if the American partner or the German partner are sick?

  • If the American partner is sick, the German partner still needs to come to school. If the German partner is sick, please notify the teachers from Germany that he/she will not be in school.

• What would be a good souvenir to buy the German partner?

  • Any type of school gear (sweatshirt, shirt, water bottle, etc. ) from the school store would be great. Also, UND items are also popular. School-branded clothing items are popular to give as a gift because the students from Germany can wear them in Germany.

• Are we allowed to take the student from Germany out of town on a trip?

  • Yes, you are allowed to take them out of town on a trip. They all have permission sheets signed by their parents that they are allowed to travel with you. You don't have to notify me if you are leaving town. Families can make those responsible decisions.

• Is my American daughter/son allowed to drive with the partner to and from places?

  • Yes, as long as your daughter/son are licensed to do so. The driving age is 18 in Germany, so none of the Germans are licensed to drive. Please do not allow them to drive your vehicle.

Travel Questions

Pre-travel Requirements

• Why do we have to have classes before we travel?

  • The German travel program is a summer school class and we have to meet state requirements for the number of hours we meet. We also go over common travel procedures and gather required documents. Meeting also provides the students the opportunities to get to know each other.

• Why do we need to create and give presentations?

  • This is a requirement of our GAPP exchange. It is also great to share American culture with Germans.

• Does our presentation have to be in German?

  • No, it does not.

• How many students normally are part of the travel portion?

  • Groups have varied in size from 4-16, but normal is around 8-10. The minimum number Grand Forks GAPP will travel with is four. The maximum is 21 because there are only 21 German students who signed up to travel and host. It is beneficial for the group to have a minimum of eight in order to qualify for group discounted plane tickets. 

Summer School Classes

• Why do we have to attend summer school classes? Isn’t this just a travel trip?

  • The “trip” is designed to be an elective course that students can take. Students will receive 1 academic credit for completing all requirements for the course. The state sets the minimum number of contact hours required for a 1 credit class.

• Can I just not sign up for the summer school course and still travel?

  • No, the requirements for the course are also requirements for travel. Some of the requirements are set by the Goethe-Institut.

Traveling to and in Germany

• Do I need a passport to travel?

  • Yes, you will need a passport to travel. Passport information is available under Travel Information.

• How long is the trip in Germany?

  • The trip generally lasts around three weeks.

• How much does the trip cost?

  • The cost of the trip varies year to year based upon various program costs and flight costs. It may cost around $3,400.

• When do I make payments?

  • The first $500 is submitted with your application in late November, early December. Monthly payments of $500/$600 are paid at the pre-travel meetings, with the final payment at the May meeting. Accommodations can be made, but each student must be paid in full before going through security at the airport.

• Are there any fundraising opportunities?

  • No, nothing formally organized by the GAPP coordinators or high schools. Grand Forks Central and Red River are different, but students and families can volunteer to work concessions. This helps the Boosters and the Boosters have supported GAPP with donations before. There are some games at Red River that qualify for Booster Bucks and those earnings can be directly applied to a student's GAPP total that is owed. 

• Are there any scholarships offered?

  • Yes, by the national GAPP office. Your German teacher will need to apply on the student's behalf. The student will need to speak to his/her German teacher specifically about this. 

  • On the other hand, if you wish to donate to the scholarship fund, you can donate via Give Lively

• I had an outstanding time travelling with GAPP and want to do this again. Can I travel again?

  • Yes! Students are able to travel more than once, but the student MUST host during the second exchange.