German American Partnership Program (GAPP)

What is GAPP and why do we have it?

GAPP opens hearts, minds, and borders by enabling cultural exchanges between schools in the US and in Germany. The basis of this exchange is a long-term partnership between German and American secondary schools. Trinity's and HEBISD's partner school is the JFK school in Berlin, Germany. You can find information about this school at http://jfks.de .

How does this exchange work?

Every year about 20 students and two teachers from the JFK school come in the fall to visit our school. The students stay with host families for their three week stay. Then in the summer, at the end of the school year, our students will go to Germany and stay with their partner and his/her family for three weeks. This program is a school-to-school and family-to-family exchange.

What do I have to do as a host?

Just welcome one of the German exchange students to your home. While they are with you, treat them like a normal family member. You are responsible for room and board, and the transportation to and from school for their 10 days of school. If they are in the school zone, they can even ride the school bus.

On the first day when they arrive, they need to get a phone with a local phone number. They can purchase one, or you can give them one for that time. We just don't want to call international numbers in order to get in touch with them , if necessary.

What do students do while here in Texas?

The exchange students and their partners have a packed schedule. They arrive in early October, then the first Friday is our official welcome party. The next day they will all normally go to Six Flags.

The exchange students will also have outings to Dallas to see the Sixth Floor Museum and the Bush library, a trip to the Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth, a tour of the UTA campus, as well as a trip to Austin with their partners. Besides that they do many activities with their host families or their partners. One of their favorite things to do is shopping.

Can my student go to Germany?

Yes, as long as they are in the HEB school district and in grades 10 - 12. When you open up your home and welcome an exchange student from our partner school, your student has the right to be part of the exchange.

What do the students do while in Berlin?

Just as the German student here in Texas, our students have to attend school for ten days. We will have other trips to the Baltic Sea, to the city of Dresden, and at least one other trip away from Berlin. Besides those trips we have tours of Berlin and the surrounding areas, explore life below the city of Berlin, do a boat tour of the river Spree, and any activities that host families have elected to do with our students.

What is the cost for an exchange?

The cost for the exchange varies from year to year. The main factor of price is the airfare. This program is an all expenses paid program, so whatever cost is quoted, that includes everything from airfare to side trips and meals while with the teacher on outings. The host family in Germany will take care of room and board as well as transportation to school and around Berlin. The cost for the trip has been as low as $1,150 to a high of $1,500. The only other expense would be their spending money.

The trip for the school year 2021 - 2022 will be $1,400.00 - everything but spending money included.

More Information?

Contact Frau Lombardo at Trinity High School

HildegardLombardo@hebisd.edu