GAPP program?

Question

Through my High School, the GAPP [German American Partnership program] is starting to come into play. I am going to be 16 years old when I go. I was wondering if I could have some more opinions from anyone who HAS gone on this trip as a teen and has experienced it and tell me what they liked and didn't like about it? I still have a week to make my decision. So can anyone help me weigh out the pros and cons for this experience? Thank you if you can!<333

Answer 1

I actually was a german student on a GAPP program 4 years ago and I went to St.Louis and it was absolutely amazing...I mean, I am from Hamburg, Germany, but Ive lived in England for 2 years and I currently live in Spain and I still tell people about GAPP all the time, because it is just an experience that you can not get any other way...First of all you will never meet such a group of people again, because although youre all students and at some point there are common things, every single person will have something different and by travelling with them, living in their families and going on trips as a whole group, it is a very intense way where you not only learn a huge amount of things about the others, but also about yourself. Also I would say that you will most probably never get such a cheap opportunity again. Although the dollar rate is horrible at the moment so that Germany is pretty expensive for you, you will stay with a family that generally provides everything and they also normally give you money for a busticket and stuff like that. So like the only expenses you should have are for shopping and little gifts that you bring home for your family. On the other hand, you should provide the same &quot;service&quot; for you exchange partner.

So I can only tell you what Ive told pretty much every person that has ever asked me about GAPP: GO, because there is no way you are going to regret it. The only problem I can think of, is that you get homesick or a crappy exchange student.

I myself was only 14 when I did GAPP, so I was even younger than you, but I never had problems with being homesick and so I can only say, if you are someone that gets homesick, keep telling yourself that its only 4 weeks away from home. However, Im sure that if you make the best of your time, there is noooo way youll get homesick. The other problem of getting a crappy exchange student kinda happened to me. But I mean first of all youre in a group and so even if you dont really like your exchange student if you do something in a group, even if its just like 4 people, then im sure you can arrange something. And if it really doenst work out between the two of you, you can always ask to change and I&#039;m sure that your teacher or organiser will be happy to help you.

good luck with everything and trust me YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT

Answer 2

GO GO GO!!!! This is the experience of a lifetime! It is so good to explore a new culture and language and meet new people, plus be away once from home and the common things you know, espcially if you are a US citizen....most of them (us citizens!) do not travel too much outside of the the US and are pretty narrowminded when it comes to other cultures.

So, pack your bags and go. This is an experience nobody can ever take from you. You will love Germany, I promise!