Jahresbericht - Hannah-Arendt-Gymnasium

Newspaper article
Student exchange Wapakoneta/Ohio – Lengerich/Germany 2005
Date: July 11 th , 2005
Greetings from Europe
Written by: Michelle Borges (chaperone of the student group from Sister Cities Wapakoneta)
A group of twelve students and three chaperones have been enjoying the beauty and hospitality
of Germany during this year’s student exchange through the Sister Cities program.
For more than ten years now, there have been established partnerships between the
Sister Cities of Wapakoneta – Lengerich and St. Marys – Lienen that foster knowledge,
life-long friendships, and cultural understanding. The annual student exchange helps to
carry “the torch of friendship” between our towns, and it is hoped that these new friendships
will continue to grow and spread throughout our communities and be passed down
through future generations. Like many exchange programs, our students have each been
placed with a host family during their four-week visit, where they experience everyday
life in a very personal way. More than ever, it is important for young people to expand
their horizons and realize that Germany is not just the land of kraut, beer, and Mercedes.
Special private lessons have been provided to our group by two local college students
which have featured basic German phrases and historical/geographical information about
the upcoming excursions. The students have also had the opportunity to attend normal
classes with their host brothers/sisters to experience what it is like at the German high
school “Hannah-Arendt Gymnasium”.
Germans are famous for their Gemütlichkeit and this visit is no exception... many students
are already planning their next trip!
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