This is a wonderful opportunity for participants to experience what school life is like in Germany, while furthering German language skills and gaining an unforgettable life experience.
Participants are enrolled into a local German high school (Gymnasium schools) and are integrated in a class with students of the same age. They follow both compulsory and optional subjects depending on age. The stay can be organised for a minimum of 2 month and maximum of 10 months depending on preference and availability.
Gymnasium is a secondary school that leads up to university. The curriculum is rather academic, with two foreign languages plus maths and science courses. The school year starts in August/September, holidays vary from state to state (6 weeks in summer plus 2 weeks each in autumn, over Christmas and around Easter). School days are Mondays-Friday, usually 8 am – 1 or 2 pm, which leaves enough time to join local community clubs focusing on sports or the arts in the afternoon or on weekends.
Host families have been vetted by our local organisers. Some have children but some families have sons and daughters, who do an exchange program as well at the same time: While their children go to school in Canada, France or Argentina, they are happy to welcome an exchange student going to school in Germany. The families live within easy reach of the school attended and provide a single room and full board.
Local co-ordinators monitor the stays very closely and live in the same city as the participant. All local coordinators arrange extra-curricular activities for exchange students – like, for example, a visit to the local bowling center, a meetup at a Christmas market or a day trip to a nearby city.
What's Included
- Application and administrative processes
- Starter weekend in Berlin for those joining in September or February.
- Airport transfer to and from nearest airport only.
- School fees
- Lunch at school and full board and all plans organised by the host family
- Uniform is not normally a requirement
- Supervision and monitoring of stay and close contact with parents.
- Free German classes 3 times weekly at language school in Berlin (for those placed in Berlin)
- Organised cultural outings for international students
Not Included
- School books and course material
- Public transport tickets to school
- Flights
- Extra-curricular activities
- Pocket money
- Medical and health insurance (compulsory)
Additional Notes
- Deadline for registration must be received 4 months prior to start date
- €300 non-refundable deposit in case of participant cancellation prior to start
- Online A2 level of German will be tested online before acceptance onto programme