Exchange programs are a great way to meet people from different countries and cultures and to gain a more in depth understanding of other languages, and this year’s GAPP students have kicked off that process with the arrival of their exchange students on Oct. 18.
The German American Exchange Program is a nationwide initiative that allows students from Germany and America to trade students from the opposite country to learn the language and culture and experience firsthand how the average person in the other country lives.
Offered every two years, students in all high school grade levels are invited to participate in this event.
Sophomore Caleb Struble is hosting a student for the first time after learning about it from others who had participated.
“My friends had done the program before, so I wanted to try it,” Struble said. “I love meeting new people.”
The program is popular with students taking German at EHS and upperclassmen often encourage their freshmen and sophomore friends to take part.
While most participants host one student, Struble is hosting two. This may add more stress to the host’s workload, but can make the process easier for the German students by having another exchange student to stay with alongside their host.
Junior Josie Calvo is hosting a student for a second year. First hosting as a freshman, Calvo was introduced to the program with limited knowledge of the German language but a desire to participate in more activities because of it.
“I really liked learning German when I was stuck at home in Covid and I enjoy all the stuff I get to do with it,” Calvo said.
Calvo also said the program feels “more organized” this year than when she first participated.
Sophomore Chiara Kuhn is one of the exchange students and this is her first time in the US. She has visited several places across Europe, but hasn’t traveled overseas before this trip. She is excited to experience American life and has already noted several key differences between the two places.
“The school system in general [is] very different to Germany,” Kuhn said. “I [also] don’t like that there are lots of chemicals in some groceries and that it’s hard to find really healthy food.”
The German students will be staying until Nov. 1, spending a total of two weeks in America. During that time they will visit St. Louis, Springfield and historic Leclaire, as well as tour the middle schools and experience a high school football game
Many students have also taken their guests to Fright Fest, pumpkin patches, haunted houses and other attractions. Several have visited Chicago and others have simply explored Edwardsville and the surrounding areas.
The participating Edwardsville students will leave for Germany at the beginning of summer in 2025, with a similar schedule of exploring the different people, places and things the country has to offer.
Like the students exploring Illinois, the participating EHS students will have the chance to travel to Germany in the summer of 2025. These students will have a similar schedule of exploring the different people, places and things the country has to offer and will be living with their host families for the majority of their stay.
Struble said they are “excited to experience the culture” and look forward to appreciating Germany firsthand.