The German Exchange becomes one of the most memorable events in our high school students' lives! The Exchange is in its 43rd year of students traveling between Gütersloh, Germany, and Portage, Wisconsin.
The Germans visit us in Portage for three weeks during October/November of the planned school year. They stay with our host families, attend school, and have taken trips to Madison, Wisconsin Dells, Chicago, and Green Bay.
PHS students visit Gütersloh, Germany, for three weeks during June and July of the same school year. They also stay with host families, attend school, and in the past, have taken trips to Berlin, Cologne, Munich, Bavaria, Dachau, and Innsbruck (and so much more).
Although this was written two years ago, it's still such a great glimpse into this "window" of the world that our kids get to see. Please read the following article about our trip to Germany in June/July 2016, written by Haley Schuster and Melissa Bublitz:
The journey began one year ago when the exchange students contacted their exchange partners, not knowing that some of these people would become some of their best friends. In October, 20 students from Städtisches Gymnasium in Gütersloh, Germany came to Portage, WI for three weeks to stay with their host families. During the three weeks, the students attended school, traveled Wisconsin, and experienced the American culture.
Eight months later, 21 students from Portage High School traveled to Gütersloh to see their friends again. They had a warm welcome from their host families that they would too stay with for three weeks. The students were able to explore the German culture by helping at home, participating in family activities, and attending school. At school, the students presented in various classes to give the students in Gütersloh a little insight of the American life.
Many of the exchange students rode their bikes to school unlike at home where many of them drive their cars or ride a school bus. The students learned to love the German bread, chocolate, and sausage. Some of the exchange students also learned to love the sparkling water and other sparkling drinks. These are just a few differences the exchange students had to adjust to.
The whole exchange group also traveled to other parts of Germany. The students saw the Hohenzollern Brücke and the Cathedral in Köln. In Berlin, they saw the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Cathedral, the Berlin Wall, Check Point Charlie, Pariser Platz, German Parliament, Cecilienhof, and Sanssouci. At these monuments and buildings the students were able to learn about the German history. At the end of the trip, the Portage students left their host families and friends to travel to southern Germany. There they traveled to Rothenberg, Munich, Innsbruck, Neuschwanstein, Zugspitze, and Dachau. These different cities gave the students a different perspective ofGermany because of the different aspects of the cities.
On the last night the students were asked to describe this experience in a few words; they described it as eye-opening, adventurous, and definitely worth it. In order to have such a successful trip, the students set four goals: to be positive, respectful, flexible, and temporary Germans. Many of the the students have already talked about coming back and most of the students have already been in contact with their exchange partner through WhatsApp, Snapchat, and Facebook.
The exchange between Portage and Gütersloh started 40 years ago. Over the years, hundreds of students have participated in the exchange. This exchange has positively impacted the exchange students, their families, friends, teachers, and so many more people. Through the exchange, the students enhance their language skills, see the world through another lens, and gain lifelong friends. This exchange wouldn't be possible with the constant support from the community, school board, principals, teachers, and many more. We hope the exchange continues for many years to come, so future students can have a similar opportunity.
Danke,
Haley Schuster and Melissa Bublitz
“One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way.”
~Frank Smith, contemporary psycholinguist
An exchange like this is a precious thing.
To our students: It starts with you -- thank you for wanting to host a German student and to be willing to sacrifice three weeks of summer vacation, family, and friends. We know this will be one of those highlight moments of your high school experience.
To our families: The home life, extended family, the extra opportunities you provided made the exchange especially memorable. The families in Germany will reciprocate for your kids!
To our community: The support of organizations like the Greater Portage Youth Education Foundation, the Masons, Mashee Niblich Charities, and the Lions is invaluable. These groups provide our students the opportunities to talk about their experiences both as hosts and as travelers.
To our staff and administration: Welcoming students into your classrooms and supporting our endeavors, often behind the scenes, cannot be overstated. Thank you for supporting this opportunity for hundreds of students over the years.
WUNDERBAR!
To you all, VIELEN DANK, and very soon, "GUTE REISE!"
Michelle Doherty
German Exchange coordinator
Please enjoy even more on Facebook: "German Exchange @ PHS"
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