GAPP 2020
Interest Meeting for Students and Parents Thursday, August 29, 2019 from 7:00-8:00pm in NWHS Media Center (please enter by side door by front parking lot)
Thursday, March 19, 2020: Arrival of German participants to Charlotte airport
Friday, March 20-Sunday, March 22, 2020: Participant group trip to Charleston, SC
Friday, March 27-Sunday, March 29, 2020: Free family weekend
Friday, April 3, 2020: German participants depart from NWHS parking lot (evening)
Tuesday, June 23, 2020-Thursday, July 9, 2020: American participants' trip to Germany
GAPP is one of very few exchange programs based on long-term, sustainable partnerships which are not only between students, but between teachers, administrators, schools, and communities. GAPP is the largest and most successful bilateral student exchange program of the US with any other country. GAPP is supported by the German Foreign Office as well as The U.S. State Department.
GAPP, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) Public Charity under oversight of an independent Board of Directors, consisting of eight renowned and accomplished members of private and public institutions. Donations are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.
GAPP, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) Public Charity under oversight of an independent Board of Directors, consisting of eight renowned and accomplished members of private and public institutions. Donations are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.
Mission Statement
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The German American Partnership Program is dedicated to creating intercultural learning opportunities that forever impact the lives of countless students in Germany and the US. Our objectives include the initiation and development of student exchange programs between the United States and Germany, inspiring intercultural understanding, promoting German language instruction and motivating personal friendships.
GAPP is one of very few exchange programs based on long-term, sustainable partnerships which are not only between students, but between teachers, administrators, schools, and communities. In addition to its patronage, GAPP, Inc. contributes financial support under certain conditions. As a nonprofit organization, all our proceeds go towards our mission. |
How GAPP works
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GAPP exchanges are rooted in long-term school partnerships and so become part of the communities in which the schools are located. The mutual short-term exchanges take place in regular intervals between German and US schools. Groups of 10-20 students visit their partner school for at least 2 weeks and stay with the families of their exchange partner during this time. Has a short-term exchange been established, individual students may also spend a semester or a full academic year at their partner school.
Most GAPP groups travel every year or every other year. This way, the international visits become a well-known fixture in the communities and not only participating students, families, and teachers benefit from the reciprocal and regular visits, but also school administrations, local media and public figures. They all get acquainted with the international visitors and their culture, which not only broadens horizons but leads to intercultural understanding and openness that lasts a life-time. For detailed information on GAPP short term and long term exchanges please see our section “Exchanges" or contact us at [email protected] |
History
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Since its original inception in 1972 at the Goethe-Institut Boston, GAPP has developed into the largest and most successful bilateral student exchange program in the US with any other country. With 765 active school partnerships, GAPP remains the strongest youth exchange link between American and German secondary school students.
GAPP was greatly expanded in 1982 and 1983. As a result of financial participation from the American as well as from the German side, the program received a stimulus which has been sustained to this very day. The number of school partnerships has increased from 150 in the early days to almost 800 today. Up to now, more than 300,000 students have participated in GAPP. |