Short-term exchange program
Our GAPP short-term exchange program is for teachers, schools, and coordinators, who organize student exchanges. GAPP does not act as an organizer for travel, nor for the exchange itself. Instead, we offer assistance to teachers, schools, and coordinators in navigating the framework of an exchange. We also grant financial assistance to groups and chaperones, as well as individual scholarships for qualifying students.
Application Deadlines for Travel in 2024:
February 21, 2024 - early spring 2024 exchange | Groups departing before April 3,
April 3, 2024 - spring / summer 2024 exchange | Groups departing to Germany before August 1, 2024
June 1, 2024 - fall / winter 2024 exchange | Groups departing to Germany August 1 - December 31, 2024
We invite all coordinators/teachers in the U.S. – with or without German language program – to apply for German American Partnership Program (GAPP) scholarships. You may apply for two kind of grants/scholarships: Group grants for your entire group (includes a teacher grant and student grants) or individual scholarships on behalf of your students.
Schools in Germany apply through the Pädagogischer Austauschdienst (PAD)
Schools in Germany apply through the Pädagogischer Austauschdienst (PAD)
In order to become eligible for the GAPP program, the exchange must include a theme that is covered throughout the exchange in the form of activities, field trips, or a project. Our GAPP travel journal can also fulfill this requirement. If you are interested in working on a project with your students, your partner school is able to apply for extra funding from the Pädagogischer Austauschdienst (PAD) for this purpose.
Schools without a German program are encouraged to work with their German counterparts so that the Americans can participate in a crash course in German at their partner school in Germany. This should be documented and turned in to the Pädagogischer Austauschdienst (PAD) by the German coordinator after the exchange is complete.
Schools without a German program are encouraged to work with their German counterparts so that the Americans can participate in a crash course in German at their partner school in Germany. This should be documented and turned in to the Pädagogischer Austauschdienst (PAD) by the German coordinator after the exchange is complete.
Most U.S. schools find their partner schools through www.partnerschulnetz.de — an online forum that enables German and foreign schools worldwide to establish international partnerships. Create your school's profile and get in contact with German schools looking for a partner school in the U.S.
Teachers and schools are responsible for coordinating their exchanges. The flexibility allows you to arrange your group’s travel to Germany (and hosting of your German exchange partner group) to best fit the needs of your students and school.
The recommended group size is 10 to 20 participants. For a group of 11 students and more, two adult chaperones are required. Please contact our office should you have a group considerably smaller than 10 students. Students have the option to only host an exchange student without going on an exchange trip themselves. Details are subject to agreement between partner teachers.
GAPP exchanges must last 14 days or longer, with at least 10 days spent with a host family and 5 days attending their school.
GAPP exchanges cost each student $1,200–$3,200 on average. Exact pricing depends on the size of your student group and where in the US you’re flying out from. Costs are generally low because students stay with their host families free of charge for the majority of the trip. Plus, GAPP offers travel grants and scholarships to qualifying schools and students.
We aspire to sustain our support for the majority of schools that seek assistance. In the event that we receive more applications than we can accommodate, our selection criteria are as follows:
1. All required documents are fully completed and submitted before the deadline.
2. Exchange parameters, including mandatory days spent in the host school and with host families, are met.
3. Title 1 schools and public schools are given precedence.
4. Schools with German programs are given precedence.
5. Schools in rural areas are given precedence.
6. Schools with diverse makeup of students and teachers are given precedence.
1. All required documents are fully completed and submitted before the deadline.
2. Exchange parameters, including mandatory days spent in the host school and with host families, are met.
3. Title 1 schools and public schools are given precedence.
4. Schools with German programs are given precedence.
5. Schools in rural areas are given precedence.
6. Schools with diverse makeup of students and teachers are given precedence.
Contact
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German American Partnership Program
c/o Goethe-Institut New York
30 Irving Place
New York, NY 10003, USA
Tel.: +1 212 439 8700