MONROE - Monroe High School German students traveled to Neu Anspach, Germany, last month as part of an exchange with Monroe's partner school, Adolf-Reichwein Schule in the state of Hessen.
While on the exchange, from March 11-25, students stay with families and attend school there. Weekends are designed as family time for students to spend with their host families, engaging in whatever activities their hosts have planned.
The group also takes a few field trips. This year students went to Heidelberg, the Saalburg (an old Roman Fort), Frankfurt and Bad Homburg.
Leaders of the group are Kristin Bansley, who has previously traveled more than eight times as part of the exchange, and Alla Diakun, who was traveling for the first time.
Students earn one-half credit of German at MHS for the exchange. They must complete 12 hours of orientation before they travel. These orientation hours occur as a group, typically on a Sunday afternoon. Students must also complete a detailed journal and give a presentation upon returning home.
German teacher Karen Fowdy, now retired, began the first German exchange trip in 1990. Originally, the partner school for MHS was in the state of Bavaria.
Exchange trips are every other year. In the opposite years, German students from the partner school visit Monroe in the fall.
The program has fostered a number of long-term friendships.
"We have had a number of the kids keep in touch, even after graduation," Bansley said. "Many families have gone back and forth to visit one another and we even had one partner be in their hosts' wedding."
The trip is a great opportunity for the kids to actually see and experience the things that they have learned about in the classroom, Bansley said.
"They are expected to practice their German as much as possible. Comprehension also greatly increases, even in the short amount of time we are there," she said.
"Kids gain more confidence in their abilities and that then shows in their schoolwork in the classroom here."
While on the exchange, from March 11-25, students stay with families and attend school there. Weekends are designed as family time for students to spend with their host families, engaging in whatever activities their hosts have planned.
The group also takes a few field trips. This year students went to Heidelberg, the Saalburg (an old Roman Fort), Frankfurt and Bad Homburg.
Leaders of the group are Kristin Bansley, who has previously traveled more than eight times as part of the exchange, and Alla Diakun, who was traveling for the first time.
Students earn one-half credit of German at MHS for the exchange. They must complete 12 hours of orientation before they travel. These orientation hours occur as a group, typically on a Sunday afternoon. Students must also complete a detailed journal and give a presentation upon returning home.
German teacher Karen Fowdy, now retired, began the first German exchange trip in 1990. Originally, the partner school for MHS was in the state of Bavaria.
Exchange trips are every other year. In the opposite years, German students from the partner school visit Monroe in the fall.
The program has fostered a number of long-term friendships.
"We have had a number of the kids keep in touch, even after graduation," Bansley said. "Many families have gone back and forth to visit one another and we even had one partner be in their hosts' wedding."
The trip is a great opportunity for the kids to actually see and experience the things that they have learned about in the classroom, Bansley said.
"They are expected to practice their German as much as possible. Comprehension also greatly increases, even in the short amount of time we are there," she said.
"Kids gain more confidence in their abilities and that then shows in their schoolwork in the classroom here."