Adventures with the German Students in Portland

The amazing adventures with German exchange students and teachers are coming to a close tomorrow evening (Thursday, March 14th). It has really been a pleasure to get to know both of the teachers from Germany, as well every single one of the thirteen exchange students visiting our schools (Madison High School and Pacific Crest Community School).
All host families have been incredible as they showed their guest around Portland, Seattle, around Oregon, and have shown what life is like as an American family. We could not have asked for a better exchange.



I just can't believe how fast times flies by.

The German students and teachers arrived last Saturday (3/2) and they were thrown into the whirlwind of fun times.
Sunday (3/3) - Welcome Pizza Party (We certainly had enough pizza!)
Monday (3/4) - First Day at American School (Madison High School & Pacific Crest Community School)
Tuesday (3/5) - Regular School Day
Wednesday (3/6) - Tour of Portland, including Chinese Gardens with German students and teachers only. It was great fun for all, but certainly in true Portland form, RAINY
Thursday (3/7) - Field Trip with ALL students to Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) and Portland Art Museum. At OMSI, students had the opportunity to visit the Mythbusters exhibit, while also investigating the sustainable practices of Portland. At the Portland Art Museum, students had the chance to view the Native American Art Gallery and the American and Northwest Galleries. So much fun! And the sun decided to shine down on us!
Friday (3/8) - German students gave presentations in their classes. Presentations ranged from Sights of Hannover, the Infrastructure of Transportation in Hannover, Alternative Energy sources, and many, many more! All of the German students gave their presentations in English! Very impressed with their language skills!
Weekend Adventures with Host Families - Some students went to the Oregon Coast, while one family took both of their exchange students up to Seattle for the weekend, most students got to adventure all around Portland, seeing the Saturday market and visiting Powell's. It was exciting to hear all about the fun times!
Monday (3/11) - German students regularly attending Madison visited Pacific Crest for a day of classes. Students got to experience the unique and engaging private school, while they also continued to give their presentations.
Monday Evening - Bowling Night at Hollywood Bowl. Most of the host students, all of the German students and teachers, and some invited school friends that have been made in school participated in an eventful and fun night of bowling! It was incredibly fun!
Tuesday (3/12) - German students regularly attending Pacific Crest visit Madison for a day of classes. Students got to experience the large and resourceful public school, while they also continued to give their presentations.
Wednesday (3/13) - Regular school day at Madison. At PCrest, 5 of the 6 students there had the opportunity to visit Zenger Farms (urban farm and education center), which was organized by one of the awesome service learning teachers at Pacific Crest. Thanks Jordia!
Thursday (3/14) - Our potluck is tomorrow! I imagine that good times will be had and lots of pictures will be taken. I will be interviewing students about their experiences as an exchange student and as a host student. The interviews will be videotaped to hopefully be included in a video about our collaboration exchange (projected date for release is August 2013).
Friday (3/15) - German students and teachers depart Portland about 7pm. They will travel on to San Francisco for another five days, then back to Hannover. All host families and teachers will arrive at the airport around 6pm to say farewell to this enthusiastic group of students.
I imagine tears will be had and hugs a many. I am so glad that all involved students and familes had a such a wonderful time! This is my first time taking on this endeavor as a GAPP coordinator and the first half of our exchange has really gone well. I feel good about it! It is an exchange like this that makes doing this work absolutely worth it!

Also, check out the new link to the photo tab (on the far right of the screen, above)!

German Exchange Students arrive to PDX

12 of the 13 German arrived safely to their host families!
The last student arrives tomorrow morning.

This is going to be an excellent adventure. Tomorrow is our pizza party potluck and we'll have a chance to get to know each other better! I can already tell that this is going to great fun!