AATG German Summer Study Program

Are you a high school student interested in spending 3 weeks in Germany this summer studying the language and experiencing the culture? Or are you a German teacher with a busy schedule searching for a German summer program for your students? Check out our program!

2012 Application
Applications are now being accepted for our Summer 2012 programs. Deadline for application is March 1, 2012. To apply, complete the application form on your computer, then print, sign, and send it along with a deposit of $500.00 to AATG, 112 Haddontowne Court #104, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034.

Click here for the Application Form

AATG German Summer-Study Program for High School Students

2012 Dates and Course Sites

Departure Chicago: June 6; return June 28
Course Site: Alzey (Rheinland-Pfalz)
Gymnasium am Römerkastell; Website: http://www.roeka-alzey.de
Program includes homestay, language classes, excursions

Departure Chicago: June 6; return June 28 
Course Site: Wiesbaden (Hessen)
Humboldt-Schule; Website: www.humboldt-schule.de
Program includes homestay, language classes, excursions

Departure Chicago: June 12; return July 4
Course Site: Kaarst (Nordrhein-Westfalen)
Georg-Buechner-Gymnasium, Website: www.gbg-kaarst.de
Program includes homestay, language classes, excursions

Departure Newark: June 27; return July 19
Course site: Braunschweig (Niedersachsen)
Gausschule-Gymnasium, Website: www.gaussschule-bs.de
Program includes homestay, language classes, excursions

Departure Newark: June 27; return July 19
Course site: Beilngries (Bayern)
Gymnasium Beilngries, Website: www.gymnasium-beilngries.de
Program includes homestay, language classes, excursions

Departure Newark: July 2; return July 24
Course site: Passau (Bayern)
Gisela-Schulen-Gymnasium; Website: www.gisela-schulen.de
Program includes homestay, language classes, excursions

The student application consists of:

(A) Application Form (two pages), filled out in English or German, with a $500.00 deposit.
(B) Release Form;
(C) Three small clear photographs (passport or school photo);
(D) Health Form / Physician’s Report;
(E) Teacher's Confidential Recommendation.

The final two documents may be sent directly by the doctor and teacher, but your application is not complete until they arrive.

Click here for Photos of Previous Trips

A Learning Experience. Living and studying in Germany is the basis of the German Summer Study Program sponsored by the AATG, in cooperation with the German governmental agency, the Pedagogical Exchange Service (PAD). This program represents a significant step towards achieving the highest goal of intercultural language education: improved global awareness and understanding.

Live In German Homes. The host family usually has children close in age to the American participants, and every effort is made to match "brothers" and "sisters" with similar interests.

Attend Classes. This is an excellent opportunity to improve German language skills. The school year in Germany runs into July in several states, and the Gymnasium (academic high school) is still in session when the American students arrive. Special class arrangements are made to insure student participation.

Trips to Points of Interest. Field trips are organized for students to local points of interest. In addition to these group outings, the host families generally plan excursions to show their visiting "son" or "daughter" the area in which they are living.

Adult Supervision. Immersion in the German culture is exciting, stimulating and potentially frightening. At each site a qualified American high school teacher of German is available to supervise field trips, act as a liaison with the German school authorities or just provide a sympathetic ear to the American students.

Eligibility Requirements. All secondary school students, minimum age 15, maximum age 18 at time of departure, who have had two years of German, with recommendation of German teacher are eligible (including graduating seniors).

Application Deadline. There is a rolling admission policy that begins January 2 and ends March 1, 2012. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis until all available places are filled.

Insurance Coverage. All participants, including teacher chaperones, are covered by AATG's accident and health policy. Chaperones are also covered by foreign liability insurance.

Tentative Cost $3,595 (includes international airfare from departure city on Lufthansa). Program cost is based on airfares and the exchange rate of the dollar/Euro at the time of publishing (September 2011), and are subject to change due to increases in the Euro and/or airline costs.

Participants will be notified in April or May of their course site and detailed travel itinerary. A list with names and addresses of the chaperones and other students in the group will be sent at the same time.

Not Included in Price. Passport fees, excess baggage charges, transportation to and from participant's home to departure airport, and other items of a strictly personal nature are not included in price. Participants who request customized travel arrangements will be subject to an additional charge.

Payment Schedule. A deposit of $500 is required with every application. Participants will be billed for the balance in installments in February and in March, followed by a final invoice in April. Full payment is due 45 days prior to departure.

Scholarship Aid Available. Each year several scholarships of up to $800 are available to students whose financial need merits such support. Be sure to submit scholarship aid forms early if you have such a need by March 1, 2012. Students will be notified of scholarship awards in the spring. Click here for the Partial Scholarship Form

Cancellation Policy. All cancellations must be submitted in writing. Refunds will be made subject to the following schedule: written notice received by March 1: cancellation fee of $200; written notice received between March 2-April 15: cancellation fee of $300; written notice received between April 16-May 15: cancellation fee of 25% of the program cost; after May 15, AATG reserves the sole right to determine cancellation fee.

Thousands of students and teachers have participated in the program in over 30 years! Since 1989, AATG has sent 2,374 students on this program. 

In 2011:
• 81 students 
• 6 chaperones
• from 21 states
• went to 6 course sites in Germany
• 8 students received partial scholarships 
• 3 students were sponsored by the AATG Endowed Scholarship Fund (supported by AATG members!)
• 1 student was sponsored by the AATG National Office Scholarship (new in 2010)
• 1 local AATG chapter sponsored a student
• 1 student was sponsored through the Käthe Wilson Scholarship of Delta Epsilon Phi, the German National Honor Society for High School Students