The German Exchange Program was recognized by the German American Partnership Program for their cooperative project with a high school in Heidelberg, Germany. Entitled “Hometown Feel,” the project was awarded second place in the annual GAAP contest and won 1,000 euros to be split between the two schools. 

“The project consisted of experiences and reflections from our students and the German students during their time on the exchange,” German teacher Elizabeth Hagen said.

In collaboration with the GAAP, this exchange required American and German students to spend a minimum of 16 days in the other country, and 10 days at the specific hosting school.

Metea Valley and the high school in Heidelberg, Germany collaborated to put together the project which was made up of videos and essays based on significant locations they visited during their exchange.

These significant places included Lincoln Square, a museum of ex-patriots in Germany,  the German American Friendship Society, a tour of Heidelberg from Mark Twain’s perspective.

“Teachers [and] chaperones also participated by writing short essays about some of their collective and individual observations,” Hagen said.

The GAPP Exchange is a cooperation that gives extra support to schools studying abroad through grant money.

“GAPP Inc. is dedicated to the initiation and development of student exchange programs between the United States and Germany, inspiring intercultural understanding, promoting German language instruction, and motivating personal friendships,”  the Goethe-Institut website said.

“This year, for the fourth time, 20 students will be coming to Metea in April, and 14 students from Metea will be traveling to Germany in June,” Hagen added.

When the students from Germany come to visit, they attend a variety of courses, visit the middle school’s Explore language program, teach lessons, and give guest lectures in German classes.

 “[Students] are immersing themselves in our culture,” Hagen said.