For the next two and a half weeks, students from Germany will immerse themselves in American Culture.
On Tuesday, October 18 a welcome reception was held in Rocky's Little Theatre. The German Students and their partners got to introduce each other and tell the group a little about each other.
It's part of Rock Island High School's German-American Partnership Program (GAPP). The German students have been paired with a student from RIHS who they will follow around and attend their classes. They will stay with host families from people in the Rock Island/Milan community. German students are accompanied by two of their own teachers from Germany, Christiane Rude and Doro Matt. The students will work on homework from their own classes while they are here.
While the German Exchange students will get the feel of American culture at school they will also get to experience the American culture outside of the classroom. Students will get to go to local businesses as well as take trips to museums and other exhibits.
The program isn't just about German students learning about America but also for our students and staff to learn from them as well. German students have prepared presentations on various topics relating to their daily lives and their hometown they will give to classes.
"Exchange means more than just a trip," said RIHS German Teacher Nick Eli. Mr. Eli coordinates the Exchange Program.
"What I really think exchange means to me is that exchange of ideas, experiences, friendships, common interests, and cultural differences," said Mr. Eli.
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German students are greeted by their host families at the airport.
German exchange students along with their American partners from Rock Island High School pose for a group photo. Also pictured, Rocky German Teacher Nick Eli and teachers from Germany, Christiane Rude, and Dorothea Matt.
German Students and their American partners introduce themselves.
