We have a biennial GAPP (German American Partnership Program) Exchange with Puchheim Gymnasium in Puchheim, Germany, which is just outside of Munich.
We have a biennial GAPP (German American Partnership Program) Exchange with Puchheim Gymnasium in Puchheim, Germany, which is just outside of Munich.
Take a look at some of the pictures from the US-side of the Exchange this October: https://photos.app.goo.gl/w6miz4YxvHpmgtXV8
Take a look at some of the pictures from the US-side of the Exchange this October: https://photos.app.goo.gl/w6miz4YxvHpmgtXV8
It is never too early to think about participating in this experience!
It is never too early to think about participating in this experience!
--It only happens every 2 years, and it is good to plan when you would like to go!
--It only happens every 2 years, and it is good to plan when you would like to go!
--On the one hand, you might want to wait until your German is stronger.
--On the one hand, you might want to wait until your German is stronger.
--On the other hand: perhaps you will not be able to participate in another year... -- There are lots of things to consider!
--On the other hand: perhaps you will not be able to participate in another year... -- There are lots of things to consider!
--"Low-key": The possibility also exists to host and travel twice, depending on what year you are in.
--"Low-key": The possibility also exists to host and travel twice, depending on what year you are in.
Are you taking German and interested in hosting next time? OR are you a member of the East community who would enjoy the experience of sharing your family life with a student 8-10 days? Look in this folder for information and an application. (We will be hosting again in the fall of 2021, and traveling in the summer of 2022. -- REMINDER: The travel portion is NOT a school trip and is not affiliated
Are you taking German and interested in hosting next time? OR are you a member of the East community who would enjoy the experience of sharing your family life with a student 8-10 days? Look in this folder for information and an application. (We will be hosting again in the fall of 2021, and traveling in the summer of 2022. -- REMINDER: The travel portion is NOT a school trip and is not affiliated
Students do have the opportunity to travel to Germany and complete the exchange, however: International Travel is not sponsored by Cherry Hill School District. The trip to Germany is an entity in and of itself, completely separate from a school trip. Inquiries about traveling to Germany should be made to the email address: herrgraff at gmail dot com .
Students do have the opportunity to travel to Germany and complete the exchange, however: International Travel is not sponsored by Cherry Hill School District. The trip to Germany is an entity in and of itself, completely separate from a school trip. Inquiries about traveling to Germany should be made to the email address: herrgraff at gmail dot com .
Last year (2018), we traveled from the end of June to mid-July. We spent two days in Iceland, 3 days in Berlin, and 2 weeks with our partner school near Munich. See some of the trip experience at https://twitter.com/CherryHillGAPP
Last year (2018), we traveled from the end of June to mid-July. We spent two days in Iceland, 3 days in Berlin, and 2 weeks with our partner school near Munich. See some of the trip experience at https://twitter.com/CherryHillGAPP
Frequently Asked Questions - Abbreviated -- A more thorough document will be COMING SOON -- in the meantime, please send any questions to agraff at chclc.org
Frequently Asked Questions - Abbreviated -- A more thorough document will be COMING SOON -- in the meantime, please send any questions to agraff at chclc.org
1--What is expected of us as a host family?
1--What is expected of us as a host family?
Provide meals, a comfortable bed, good conversation and get student to and from school. Beyond that: treat the student like you would any other guest in your family who is with your for about 7-9 days. Show them around and make them feel welcome. -- Work with other parents to leverage each other's time and money and do group trips to nice destinations. HERE is a tentative generalized schedule for their visit this fall.
Provide meals, a comfortable bed, good conversation and get student to and from school. Beyond that: treat the student like you would any other guest in your family who is with your for about 7-9 days. Show them around and make them feel welcome. -- Work with other parents to leverage each other's time and money and do group trips to nice destinations. HERE is a tentative generalized schedule for their visit this fall.
--1b-- There is a lot going on in our family. Our children are involved in a lot of activities, and space is also tight at home. Can we just send our son or daughter on the trip?
--1b-- There is a lot going on in our family. Our children are involved in a lot of activities, and space is also tight at home. Can we just send our son or daughter on the trip?
In the end, it is obviously you who make the decision whether you can host. However, let me say this for your consideration: This is a unique opportunity for your son or daughter, and there are definite benefits to making it work.
In the end, it is obviously you who make the decision whether you can host. However, let me say this for your consideration: This is a unique opportunity for your son or daughter, and there are definite benefits to making it work.
1) Very often, there are tears after the (comparably short) 10 days that host a German student, tears on both sides. They really become a part of your family.
1) Very often, there are tears after the (comparably short) 10 days that host a German student, tears on both sides. They really become a part of your family.
2) The students are coming over here to be immersed in English and in American culture, including the culture of your family. They understand that they are not on a sight-seeing cruise.
2) The students are coming over here to be immersed in English and in American culture, including the culture of your family. They understand that they are not on a sight-seeing cruise.
3) You can work with other families to organize events and outings on the weekends -- 18 families working together can get a lot done.
3) You can work with other families to organize events and outings on the weekends -- 18 families working together can get a lot done.
4) If you don't have the extra bed/room, then consider whether your son or daughter could sleep on a blow-mattress or something similar, for 10 days, and let the exchange student have their bed. Is it an ideal situation? Sure, it isn't. But a little discomfort now in exchange for rich experiences now and in the near future: that is not a bad deal.
4) If you don't have the extra bed/room, then consider whether your son or daughter could sleep on a blow-mattress or something similar, for 10 days, and let the exchange student have their bed. Is it an ideal situation? Sure, it isn't. But a little discomfort now in exchange for rich experiences now and in the near future: that is not a bad deal.
2--Who is eligible to host and travel?
2--Who is eligible to host and travel?
All German students at CHE in good standing -- with the school and with Herr Graff. Students who are current 10th or 11th graders, and in good standing, are given priority.
All German students at CHE in good standing -- with the school and with Herr Graff. Students who are current 10th or 11th graders, and in good standing, are given priority.
3--What are the costs? How long do students stay in Germany?
3--What are the costs? How long do students stay in Germany?
For hosting, you do not need to remit any money to the school. The travel portion is not a school-sponsored event. However, here are the details:
For hosting, you do not need to remit any money to the school. The travel portion is not a school-sponsored event. However, here are the details:
To travel the following summer (which is a trip with NO connection to the school district), the costs will likely remain between $2000 and $2200 dollars, which will include airfare, lodging, entrance fees and assorted costs, and most meals in Iceland (or other destination) and Berlin. -- Last time, we stayed about 12 days with our partner school, 3 nights in Berlin, 2 nights in Iceland.
To travel the following summer (which is a trip with NO connection to the school district), the costs will likely remain between $2000 and $2200 dollars, which will include airfare, lodging, entrance fees and assorted costs, and most meals in Iceland (or other destination) and Berlin. -- Last time, we stayed about 12 days with our partner school, 3 nights in Berlin, 2 nights in Iceland.
4-- The travel experience -- what will I see?
4-- The travel experience -- what will I see?
Here is a rough version of last year's itinerary. There will be lots of new elements to the itinerary this next time, but most likely: we will visit the same places. Brief version: 3 days in Berlin, field trips in and around Munich, Salzburg, Dachau, Neuschwanstein and the Zugspitze are most likely all definite destinations. Iceland is up in the air -- while amazing and unique, the visit is decidedly expensive (between 350-500 dollars). Students can suggest a substitution and the group can vote democratically on changes -- one possibility might be, for instance, to spend 2-3 nights in Vienna.
Here is a rough version of last year's itinerary. There will be lots of new elements to the itinerary this next time, but most likely: we will visit the same places. Brief version: 3 days in Berlin, field trips in and around Munich, Salzburg, Dachau, Neuschwanstein and the Zugspitze are most likely all definite destinations. Iceland is up in the air -- while amazing and unique, the visit is decidedly expensive (between 350-500 dollars). Students can suggest a substitution and the group can vote democratically on changes -- one possibility might be, for instance, to spend 2-3 nights in Vienna.