fcep

Every two years, I encourage students to take part in a cultural exchange with the Friendship Connection. This is the best and most effective way to learn the German language and immerse yourself in the culture. Here is how the program works:

A retired German teacher from Hudson, Ohio, named Roland Winzer runs the program. He takes applications from students across Ohio and neighboring states and compares them to those in the west-central portion of Germany. He pairs students based on personal interest, personality similarities and household requests. He has had excellent success in making good matches for us in Sidney. His pool to chose from is over several thousand, so he is able to get quite specific!

First:
This is a cultural exchange...NOT a vacation! If you want a vacation, this is not for you...but you might like this better!
Each American student is paired with a German student of similar interest, age, sex, etc. The German student then comes to the United States in the spring (March/April) for a month. During this month, the German student stays with the American family. The American student then travels to Germany during the summer (June/July) and stays with the German family.

In hosting a German student, not only does the American student benefit, but the entire family learns as well! The German student becomes a new member of the family, and the differences in culture are always apparent. This is a great way to educate the entire family about the German and European cultures!!!!!

Why is this better than a vacation? The American Student will see more than a few landmarks and natural wonders. He/she will be immersed in the culture. He/she will eat German food made by real Germans, be FORCED to speak German to communicate with others in the family, learn German culture first hand, AND see that Herr Keiser isn't pulling his/her leg on the cultural surprises that he talks about in class!

Another bonus! This contains no hotel costs, no chaperones watching over twenty teens as they go from town to town, and no costly food budgets. Instead, students stay with families, travel with chaperones only during the flights to and from the target countries and food is paid for by the families!

Cost of the trip--approximately $950.00 plus spending money (from $500-$1000 depending on spending habits!). This is VERY INEXPENSIVE. Look at how much Delta airlines charges for a flight to Germany in June. It will be closer to $1200. This is a great deal!
We do ask that you treat the German student as your own, so costs are higher when the German student stays with you.

Who can Participate???
ANYONE can host a student.
I encourage first and second year students to do so.
Once you host a student, you can go to visit that student any year.
ANYONE with 2 years or more of German can participate in the German trip, but you MUST HOST a German Students to do so.

What do I do with a German student???
Send him/her to school! The students will attend school in the target nation. The Germans will be here for Spring Break, but will also attend Sidney High!
Likewise, the American Student will attend school in Germany, as they attend school later into the summer than us.

How do I become involved??? Contact me (Herr Keiser) and I will give you the information. I am planning on doing an exchange in Spring of 2002.

THIS WILL IMPACT YOUR LIVES!!!!
I am living proof. I did a similar exchange in high school. It was on this triop that I decided that I would teach German. I still write to my host partner, after 10 years. I have returned to his home twice. We send each other Christmas presents and I invited him to my wedding. he is my little brother and a firend for life. I will NEVER forget the experience!