Student and Parent Comments

Reports from Student Participants:

My advice: Be excited for this trip, because it will be one of the best things that has ever happened to you. Sure, you may go to Europe many times and see great things, but you might get only this one chance to go and live with a family and understand their way of life by actually living in it.  –Josh E., Iowa

This trip was arguably the best three weeks of my life. I loved every minute of it, whether it was my host family or others that I became friends with. It really opened my eyes to places outside of America and I hope to return very soon!  –Trevor C., New Jersey

Living with a German family, attending school and joining in the daily activities with the locals were my favorite experiences, for they showed the German culture and lifestyle in a way a textbook would not.  –Michal S., New Jersey

I’m really glad that my German teacher told me about this, and that I got to have this wonderful experience.  –Megan D., Connecticut

When my German teacher told me that I had the opportunity to visit Germany through AATG's Summer Study Program, I was speechless. I had only taken German for a little more than a year and hardly had the confidence to stutter along in class, never mind communicate in a strange tongue in a foreign country! But she assured me, having sent many of her students in previous years, that I would be in good hands. The program is not only relatively inexpensive, she said, but safe and culturally enriching. Eager to expand my horizons, I took her advice and applied.

I was paired with a girl my age, and began corresponding with her and her family to get to know them better before the trip. After assuring my parents that Lederhosen don't bite and that I was only a phone call away, I set off with a group of kids from across the U.S. to Laufen, a small town nestled in the Alps.

The AATG chaperone and my host family put any qualms about adjusting to my new surroundings to rest. The local Gymnasium was a world in itself. In the classes I attended with my host sister, I was enthralled to be in the midst of so many talkative German students! There were also classes held for our group that were taught jointly by our chaperone and Kursleiter, which were enlightening and very helpful. We had lively discussions about phrases or patterns of behavior that intrigued us. Our teachers also familiarized us with the places we'd soon be visiting.

The excursions were exciting and informative. We took day trips to places like München and Chiemsee, explored breathtaking castles and churches, and went on guided tours through museums. We walked around in small groups to find souvenirs, take pictures, and try out our German skills buying chocolate in bulk. On the weekends our host families would take us places we hadn't gone to as a group to give us their own perspectives of German culture. My family was eager to negate German (particularly Bayerisch) stereotypes as I was to negate preconceptions about Americans. By sharing my values with my host parents and sister, we all learned from the experience. At the end of the trip, I couldn't wait to return to Germany.

In fact, I enjoyed the program so much that I participated again the next summer! My German had improved significantly by that time and I was eager to explore a new region, so when my school offered scholarships to students who wanted to supplement their language study abroad (though the AATG itself awards generous scholarships to qualified applicants), I seized the chance to return to the country I had come to admire so much.

I recommend this program to any high-school student of German who wants to improve their language skills and experience German culture firsthand and to any parent who wants to allow them this opportunity without having to worry about their safety and comfort far away from home. AATG claims that this program "represents a significant step towards achieving the highest goal of intercultural language education: improved global awareness and understanding," and after participating myself, I realize that it has contributed to far more than that -- it has made possible a rich and expansive cultural exchange that I'm proud to have been a part of.

--Hailey F., Massachusetts

Other student comments:

  • Our trip was set up so that time was divided between being in the classroom learning German, spending time on cultural field trips, and spending time with the host families or other exchange students and their host brothers and sisters. This proved to be an excellent combination; we were able to learn about German culture and language both formally, inside the classroom, and informally and spontaneously, outside of it.  And beyond simply learning about language and culture, we were able to live and experience it all, while enjoying our time doing so.
  • I won’t forget this trip! I met some really great people, saw lots of really cool things, and got practice in German that I never could have in school.
  • The school program was excellent! The excursions to Munich and Nuremberg were fun and interesting. I can't imagine a better site than Burglengenfeld. My German host family was very welcoming and supportive.
  • The preparation and information provided by AATG were substantial and informative. The student handbook told us everything we needed to know and expect from our stay in Germany.
  • The travel arrangements to and from the US and Germany were extremely well organized. Lufthansa is a great airline.
  • The German host family was so considerate and thoughtful of my needs at all times. I was overwhelmed by their generosity and eagerness to make my stay memorable. They put me at ease and used German I could understand, not to mention they treated me like a princess.
  • The American chaperone was knowledgeable and fun. I praise his ability to keep stability and control. He gave us the space we wanted and needed, while still always being there for us and helping us with our German.
  • The school program in Germany was great. I enjoyed having the "American" classroom for 3 hours - it helped to talk with members of our group about everyday life. I enjoyed going places after learning about them in depth in the classroom. Our teachers were wonderful. We also learned a lot of conversational German in a light environment.
  • The German program director was very nice and easy to talk to.
  • The excursions were wonderful, interesting and educational.
  • The location of the course site was beautiful. The people were some of nicest that I have ever met.
  • The trip was absolutely fantastic and I learned more than I ever could have in a classroom! I had the time of my life and I will never forget the friendships I made there. I loved it! (And I wish it was a little longer.)

Comments from parents:

The trip exceeded expectations and was nothing short of fantastic. As my daughter fills me in on the details of daily living while away, I am only beginning to realize just how meaningful a trip this was. She enjoyed everything, from improving her language skills by speaking only German with her host family, to the interesting sights in Braunschweig and surrounding areas, the food, meeting new friends both German and American, and living with her wonderful host family. This will not be her last trip to Germany!  – Karen E., Massachusetts

My daughter had a great time in Germany with her host family and the other Americans she went with.  She just loved her host family.  They treated her exceptionally well and went out of their way for her.  She enjoyed the many sights she saw.  It was a very special time for her.  She would give the trip a "10". Thanks for helping to make it possible.  – Sara F., Pennsylvania

From a parent's perspective:  My son did everything and more that we could have hoped for during this trip - castles, museums, fests, family gatherings, movies in German...  His host family was absolutely the best - great with communication and planning fun things for him to see and do! I knew that they were taking good care of him.  He saw so much I can hardly believe they were only there for three weeks.  I think he enjoyed every minute of the trip (ok - not the long plane ride) and he can't wait to go back.  He also thought it really improved his German.  He is a lot more confident with it! Thank you for all you did in putting this program together and recommending this location to us. – Ann C., Texas

A letter from a parent / teacher:

As a German teacher and AATG member, I have promoted the AATG summer program with my students. Each student who participated would come back with a deeper understanding of culture and great experiences to share, not to mention a marked improvement in language skills. This summer our daughter Kati went to Bad Reichenhall, a lovely town not far from Salzburg, Austria. To say that her stay was worthwhile is an understatement. Kati's host family welcomed her as one of their own: she attended family gatherings and helped around the house, learning some great new recipes along the way. Kati was even able to participate in a weekend youth group retreat and in a three-day class field trip with her host sister. The classes in school helped her with language, culture, and history. Their frequent field trips offered some sightseeing in the area as well. Through all of these experiences she was immersed in language and culture. She has returned with improved language skills, an increased cultural awareness, and (as she puts it) another best friend, her host sister.

From a parent's and teacher's point of view, this program is top notch. The office personnel are caring and efficient in making arrangements for the students. Kati's American teacher, Frau Haney, who chaperoned the group acted as pseudo-parent, teacher, and tour guide, giving students just the right mix of structure and freedom. Frau Reischmann, the Kursleiterin in Bad Reichenhall, had planned wonderfully for the students, making them feel truly a part of the school and community. Parents can rest assured, knowing that their teens are well cared for. Unfortunately, Kati had a medical problem soon after her arrival. She received expert medical care, and I received a compassionate phone call from her teacher. Teachers know that students will return with an enhanced education. Living that language and culture as these students do cannot be duplicated in the American classroom. Thank you to the entire AATG staff and to all the people in both countries for giving our daughter this opportunity.
(Cheryl Cox, IL)

Report from a teacher:

I think all of our students would say they had a fabulous learning experience in Germany. Many of my former students who went with me in past summers have since visited, studied, worked or married in Germany.  The student should be aware that this is about learning – about living in a different culture, visiting new places, experiencing new customs.  It is truly a life-changing experience which I can totally recommend.
(Madeline Salonen, MI)