Staff and students from Washington Township High School participated in the German American Partnership Program (GAPP) this school year. From October 27th through November 9th, twenty German students accompanied by two German faculty members attended WTHS and lived with American host families for thirteen days. This program was run by Frau Bacher and included many WTHS students who were eager to volunteer and immerse themselves in this experience. Running a program like the GAPP involves a lot of preparation to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
“We start planning a year in advance…it is a lot of coordination with German schools and teachers,” said Bacher.
The German students are able to stay in Washington Township for thirteen days by filling out an application that is then reviewed by WTHS teachers and staff. A short interview is conducted, and from there 20 students are picked for the program. It is a very popular program to join, and a large number of German students applied this year. The program will continue this summer when WTHS students travel to Germany to live with the German families and immerse themselves in the German culture.
The purpose of the program is to “allow students to experience other countries…learn that it doesn’t matter what country you’re from, we are all the same,” said Bacher.
The GAPP’s main appeal to some students involved is the opportunity to learn about German lifestyle and to teach others about the American lifestyle.
“I wanted to be someone who got to show them what a daily life here in America looks like,” said WTHS senior, Julian Miller.
For Julian, this experience was enjoyable, insightful, and memorable. While some would expect to feel nervous inviting strangers to stay in their home for thirteen days, Julian was excited and interested in getting to know the German students.
“There wasn’t anything to be nervous about for me. My daily life didn’t change except that three German exchange students watched me do it every day, and eventually it felt like it was normal and they were supposed to be there,” said Miller.
Julian created a close bond with the three German exchange students his family hosted for “and made his home a second home to them,” he said.
From this experience, the German students were able to learn a lot more about America and gain insight on the differences of German and American schools, specifically.
“In Germany, you stay in one classroom and the teacher comes to the students” said Carlos Baisch Neues.
“You are allowed to use phones in American classrooms and that is not allowed in Germany” said Ruth Schāfer.
Along with the differences they observed and the new perspective they gained on what school and life is like in America, the German students were able to visit monuments and other popular places in the U.S during their time here.
Carlos went to Philadelphia, Washington D.C, and his host dad took him to vote. Ruth went to Ocean City, Six Flags, and Washington D.C. Visiting these places made their experiences more exciting and informative, allowing them to see more of the U.S.
The GAPP at Washington Township High School was an enlightening and enriching experience. It showed students and faculty some of the differences between life in Germany and life in America that probably would have gone unnoticed otherwise, and it helped students from across the world connect and create new friendships and memories.
