Exchange Student Visit

**suki** · 02-19-2008, 09:23 AM

My daughter was accepted into the German American Partnership Program (GAPP) at her school. Each year about 25 Americans and 25 Germans from sister towns (we've exchanged with the same town in Germany for 22 years) visit one another for a few weeks as a group to see what life is like in one another's country. It's pretty cool.

Our German student will arrive in 3 weeks. She will stay with us for about 3 weeks. My daughter goes to Germany in June after school is out and will be there for 3 weeks (she's raising her own funds to pay for this trip and saving from her job... I've not paid a dime and don't think I will as she's doing a great job). We want to give our visitor a very warm welcome and a memorable trip.

I'm looking for some suggestions for hospitality gifts and experiences. We can't take her on any major trips or anything like that and the spring is still a little cool to enjoy our lakes very much, but we might go hiking and canoeing here in the Ozarks.

So, if you were visiting the Arkansas Ozarks from Germany... what would you want to see and do and take back with you?

Thanks for your frugal-minded suggestions!

**Dutchie** · 02-19-2008, 10:34 AM

We had the same kind of thing a few years ago with my daughter's school. School arranged it all and while they were here the German kids went to school and vice versa.
Before it all happened my daughter and her exchange girl were on the computer sending photos and generally getting to know one another before they actually met. This made quite a difference.
Regarding gifts to send back with her - I would advise to wait and see what she loves in the US and says cannot be bought in Germany. I'm sure that there will be loads of things. (For example chocolate chips for cookies are almost impossible to find here and if I can find them then they are SOOOOO expensive. I always bring them back from the US when I am there. I think that it may be the same in Germany.)

One thing that I am certain will go down a treat is a visit to an outlet store while she is there. Most brand names - Ralph Laurens/Hilfiger etc. are VERY expensive in Germany/Holland and I know from experience that your prices are a LOT cheaper.
Does your daughter speak German? Does the German girl speak English?
I remember when the German kids were here that there was quite a lot organized for them beforehand - as a group. Is that the case?
Sorry for all the questions - we all had a great time when the German kids were here - I hope that you do too. (BTW we ended up having 2 kids - the girl who had been planned and a boy because one of the guest familes fell through at the last minute. It was actually a LOAD of fun since I also have 4 boys and we had a blast.)

**suki** · 02-19-2008, 10:47 AM

Ahhh... wonderful! Okay, first... where in Europe are you? The Netherlands??

My daughter speaks a little German. This exchange is set up through the German language class, she is in her 2nd year of study. The Germans speak almost fluent English... they have studied it for many years. It takes them a while to adjust to our dialect and of course our slang. But, within a few days... it's easy to communicate.

My hubby participated in this same program in HS... the 2nd year of it. He speaks German, but is very rusty. I speak only some French and Spanish.

The outlet malls are something I never would have thought of and we have some in Branson, MO not too far (an hour) from where I live.

We are to learn who our student will be tomorrow and hopefully the computer communication will begin.

We just want to make her feel very welcome in our home.

**Dutchie** · 02-19-2008, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by suki

Ahhh... wonderful! Okay, first... where in Europe are you? The Netherlands??

My daughter speaks a little German. This exchange is set up through the German language class, she is in her 2nd year of study. The Germans speak almost fluent English... they have studied it for many years. It takes them a while to adjust to our dialect and of course our slang. But, within a few days... it's easy to communicate.

My hubby participated in this same program in HS... the 2nd year of it. He speaks German, but is very rusty. I speak only some French and Spanish.

The outlet malls are something I never would have thought of and we have some in Branson, MO not too far (an hour) from where I live.

We are to learn who our student will be tomorrow and hopefully the computer communication will begin.

We just want to make her feel very welcome in our home.

Probably your DH will remember this but just in case - Germans are, as a people, quite formal and it takes a little while to break the ice.
It took a couple of days for our German kids to settle in but after that they were just like our own kids.

On another note - I do live in the Netherlands and love it here.
Rotterdam - where we live - is one of my favorite cities in the world.
I am originally from Scotland but live here with my Dutch Dh and our 5 kids.
Have you ever been to the Netherlands?

**suki** · 02-19-2008, 11:09 AM

Hubby and I went there for our honeymoon 8 years ago. We stayed at a lovely hotel in Rotterdam. We really enjoyed the city. We took day trips to Amsterdam and Zaanse Schans. We'd love to return there and discover more of the country.

Interestingly, my hubby made the comment to our concierge at the hotel (Van Walsum) that he was surprised his knowledge of German wasn't more helpful... they reacted very negatively and didn't seem to like the Germans much. Of course, one could understand some hurt feelings over the destruction that occurred in WWII, especially in Rotterdam. We were just very surprised and didn't mention it again. So, I'm surprised they have an exchange program with Germany! But, I think that's excellent.

So, in a general sense, what sort of things would one be really curious about or expect when visiting the states? I'm in the Southern USA.

**Dutchie** · 02-19-2008, 11:47 AM

Suki - I've sent you a PM.

**suki** · 02-19-2008, 12:11 PM

Got it... thanks!

**leezza** · 02-19-2008, 12:28 PM

Besides the outlet malls, you may want to take them to a really good supermarket, a music store.....

You might want to find out what kind of foods they are used to eating and what there likes and dislikes are....

leezza : )

PS. very nice of your family to do this, my sister did youth for understanding to Greece back in the early 80s.

**mnmarty03** · 02-20-2008, 07:53 AM

Hey! I just got back from a trip to Germany - your daughter will love it there, I'm sure!

For your exchange student I would suggest doing typical american food... homemade, and also fast food. They have McDonald's, Burger King, Subway, and KFC... but no Taco Bell, Taco Johns, Dairy Queen, etc. I know it's not healthy for you, but it tastes good, and I always enjoy eating things in Germany I don't get in the US.

Um..what else.. museums or regional activities are cool..the mall/outlet idea is good. The exchange rate for her will be awesome, so she will probably think everything is really cheap!

My fiance and his friends (they're all Germans) were just talking about that when I was over there.

I'm not sure what else.. If I think of anything, I'll let you know.

**suki** · 02-20-2008, 08:05 AM

Excellent tips! I have my list going. We learn who she is today and will have 3 weeks to communicate before her arrival So, we can hopefully get to know a bit more about her before she is in our home.

My youngest daughter, who is her hostess, has to audition for the dance program at the college she'll be attending next year during her visit. We plan to take her to the college and auditions with us. It's in Columbia, MO... also known as College Town, USA. So we plan on showing her around there quite a bit that weekend. We will hit the mall there!

I think their group is going to hit the outlet malls when they do their own little mini trip. But, if not, we will definitely take her.

I plan to put together a welcome goody bag with some local souvenirs for her... what else would be good to put inside? Is there any certain American candy that is a novelty for them? Years ago (when I was in HS) I remember they went crazy for M&M's, but I'm not sure if that's still a thing.

Unfortunately, the exchange rate for us is awful. But, my daughter is working hard to raise money for her trip. I know she'll have a great time. The town she will visit is Schorndorf and it's in Southern Germany. They will take a weeklong mini-trip to visit more of Germany, Austria, Luxembourg and Switzerland. I'm sure it will be an amazing experience for her!

Thanks for the suggestions...

**Didi** · 02-20-2008, 02:18 PM

Personally, I would not take her to 'typical American food places' all the time. We (NL) have McD, Burger King etc, so maybe a typical homemade dish (stuffed turkey or something like that) is also a lot of fun.

I second the Outlet idea, plus a bookstore, plus, if she likes cosmetics, a place where they sell brands like Burt Bees, Wet 'n Wild, Bath & Body Works which are not available here.
I love to visit a supermarket in a different country.

**suki** · 02-20-2008, 02:33 PM

Thanks, Didi!!! I will put some Burt's Bees in her welcome basket. I love the products!

I'm sure she'll have the opportunity to go to the supermarket several times. We'll also have to go to the Wal-Mart Super Center... it's a regular stop.

I'm wondering, what kind of food? I'm sure I'll have the opportunity to ask her, but I'm curious what things you would consider "typical American Home food". I'm thinking definitely fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beeans and biscuits one night... because we're southerners. You mention roast turkey and that's not something I would have thought of cooking. I have a turkey in the freezer and can certainly roast it while she's here. Anything else like that? I wouldn't go too far out of my way, but I cook a lot of different things and it would be no problem to make meatloaf or something that others consider typical American food they've heard about.

sorry to ramble... I'm just so excited! We learn more about her tonight!!!

What about candy? What kind of candy should I put in her welcome basket?

**Didi** · 02-21-2008, 02:09 AM

Hi Suki,

Great to see that you're so excited!
Fried chicken, meatloaf and mashed potato sounds good to me (Hopefully she's not a vegetarian). Maybe a local dish or something? And I'm sure she's got ideas as well. Maybe you can let her decide what's for supper for 2 times?

I'm not sure if you were also planning on giving her something when she returns (or when your daughter goes there), but I was thinking it might be nice for the parents to get seeds or bulbs of plants / vegetables that are not so common for them.

**suki** · 02-21-2008, 07:36 AM

Good ideas... thanks!

Her name is Steffi. And she seems to be an outgoing girl... we should enjoy her!

Unfortunately we received an error on the email we sent.

**suki** · 02-21-2008, 08:08 AM

Okay, the first bit of info is that she is 16, enjoys gymnastics, trampoline, motosports, sky diving???, chatting with friends and going to the cinema. She has traveled to Egypt, Greece, Austria, England and another country we can't read... maybe Maldovia?? It seems she went sky diving in Egypt, Greece and Austria.

So... seems we may have a thrill-seeker! That could be fun. We can't wait to learn more.

I'm putting together a gift bag with a souvenir t-shirt for her from our local area, as well as a HS mascot teddy bear, some Burt's Bees products and some candy... just not sure what kind of candy.

Is it too dorky to put in an American and/or Arkansas flag (the little ones)?