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50 years anniversary - German American Partnership Programm© Goethe Institut New York

German American Partnership Program
50 Years of transatlantic friendships

The German American Partnership Program (GAPP) is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2022! Since our founding in 1972, more than 400,000 students have participated in the exchange program between schools in the United States and Germany.

GAPP students © Colourbox GAPP is administered by the Goethe-Institut, funded by the German Federal Foreign Office and the U.S. Department of State. In Germany GAPP is administered by the Pädagogischer Austauschdienst (PAD). We are further sponsored by the Joachim Herz and Max Kade foundations.

Throughout this year, we will recognize GAPP's alumni, milestones and transatlantic impact. We are looking forward to celebrating with you!

"There is no better way to learn the culture and language of another country than to travel there, experience the different culture firsthand with all one’s senses, share in everyday family life, and practice and deepen knowledge of the national language." 
- Anke Popper, Head of the Cultural Section at the German Embassy in Washington, D.C.


GAPP's History and Milestones

  • GAPP students Times Square 1978 © Goethe Institut New York
    GAPP students at Times Square in 1978
  • Nicole Wilson 2019 Wissahickon HS Ambler PA_Ernst-Moritz-Arndt Gymnasium Osnabrück_exchange gnome Credits: Nicole-Perrine-Wilson
    Nicole Wilson 2019 Wissahickon HS Ambler PA_Ernst-Moritz-Arndt Gymnasium Osnabrück_exchange gnome
  • GAPP students 1978 © Goethe Institut New York
    GAPP students in 1978
  • 2017 GAPP/Wissahickon HS Ambler, PA/Ernst-Moritz-Arndt Gymnasium Osnabrück (Goodbye BroHug) Credits: Nicole-Perrine-Wilson
    2017 GAPP/Wissahickon HS Ambler, PA/Ernst-Moritz-Arndt Gymnasium Osnabrück (Goodbye BroHug)
  • Skitrip with GAPP students near the Eastern Border late 1980's Credit: Daniel Villanueva
    Skitrip with GAPP students near the Eastern Border late 1980's
  • GAPP students 1972 © Goethe Institut New York
    GAPP students in 1978
  • GAPP students 1980 © Goethe Institut New York
    GAPP students in 1980
  • GAPP 1997/Golf High School New Port Richey, FL/Berufskolleg Bergisch Gladbach, NRW (happy student!) Credits: Nicole-Perrine-Wilson
    GAPP 1997/Golf High School New Port Richey, FL/Berufskolleg Bergisch Gladbach, NRW (happy student!)
  • GAPP students 1972 © Goethe Institut New York
    GAPP students in 1972
  • 2005 GAPP/Lakeside HS Atlanta, GA/Berufskolleg Bergisch Gladbach Credits: Nicole-Perrine-Wilson
    2005 GAPP/Lakeside HS Atlanta, GA/Berufskolleg Bergisch Gladbach
  • 2011 GAPP/Wissahickon HS Ambler, PA/Ernst-Moritz-Arndt Gymnasium Osnabrück/Schablonenprojekt Credits: Nicole-Perrine-Wilson
    2011 GAPP/Wissahickon HS Ambler, PA/Ernst-Moritz-Arndt Gymnasium Osnabrück/Schablonenprojekt

50 Years of German-American Friendship

Through five decades and over 400,000 participants, GAPP has faced many challenges: Its humble beginnings in the early 1970s, the Fall of the Berlin Wall, and more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the adversity, GAPP has continually provided a life-changing experience to thousands of students, teachers, and hosts. We have selected several eras that defined the program and highlight how resilient GAPP has been to the test of time.


Meet our GAPP Alumni

Salim Fayeq - Alumni Portraits - German American Partnership Programm © Goethe Institut New York

2015
Salim Fayeq

Germans are usually not famous for being overly outgoing. However, quite the contrary can be the case. Salim Fayeq shares his viewpoints on German personality and the power of language from his exchange experience in 2015.

Lynn Wood and family - German American Partnership Program © Goethe Institut New York

GAPP Host
Lynn Wood

When Lynn Wood settled down in rural Minnesota, she told her children stories about one of her favorite countries to visit: Germany. When her daughters signed up to participate in a GAPP exchange, the Wood family volunteered their home to host German students. 

Miles Johnson - Alumni Portraits - German American Partnership Programm © Goethe Institut New York

2015
Miles Johnson

To say Miles Johnson has a gift for languages would be an understatement. The young engineer speaks multiple languages. We sat down with him and talked about trust in teenagers, eating habits and why keeping an open mind can only be of personal advantage.

Alumni Network

Are you a former GAPP student or coordinator?
Join the GAPP Alumni Network to reconnect with old friends,  share your story, and inspire a new generation! Learn More


Past Highlights

Fatma Aydemir and Mo Amjahid @S.Fendt; A Langer

Recording
Ask me anything

In an Ask me Anything, students across the U.S. are invited to join authors Fatma Aydemir and Mohamed Amjahid as they discuss identity, belonging and what it means to come of age in Germany and the U.S.

group of people sitting on a long table © GAPP

April 6, 2022
GAPP Alumni Meeting Manhattan

On Wednesday night, April 6, GAPP alumni, coordinators and hosts gathered for the first get-together in 2022. GAPP is celebrating its 50th birthday this year. Implemented in 1972, it grew to be the biggest bilateral exchange program between Germany and the U.S.
 

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