It all began in September of my sophomore year. I had just begun my first year of German after taking three years of Spanish. I was super excited, considering both of my parents speak fluent German, and I would be able to communicate with them in another language. Even if it was only just a little. Herr Buck announced that this would be the year GAPP went on their trip, which occurs every other year at Clements.

GAPP, German American Partnership Program, is a program designed to help students be a part of an exchange for a cheaper price than they would normally be able to pay, and they’d still be able to enjoy and do many different activities that would only be a once in a lifetime opportunity. It also helps students build a forever friendship with a partner from either the U.S. or Germany. They also get to experience new schooling, food, and the culture of their partner.

From the months of October to March, we busily planned for our partners to come to America. They would be coming for three weeks, and one of those weeks would be spring break. So, Herr Buck planned an exciting trip for us to go to Big Bend.

While the Germans were here with us in March, we went to the Rodeo, Big Bend National Park, NASA, and a Rockets game. They were also able to attend school with us for two weeks, while following their own schedule of all the classes they signed up for. They were surprised with how much homework we received and how hard we had to work in our classes in order to keep good grades. They were also amazed with how many tests and quizzes we had each week because they are not tested on many subjects they take.

Before we knew it, they were gone, and it was our turn to plan for us going to a foreign country for five weeks. We only had April to the end of May. We left for Germany on June 5th, two days after school ended.

It was a long flight, about eight and a half hours to Amsterdam, where we had a layover. From there we flew to Munich, which was about an hour and a half. We were all exhausted! To add on to that exhaustion, Herr Buck signed us up for a six hour bike tour around Munich. It was definitely worth it, though. The city was beautiful.

We traveled to many different cities, exploring their history, going on tours, taking pictures in the beautiful gardens, climbing tall towers, and walking so much our feet were numb by the end of the day. But our main part of the trip, to our sister city, Cologne, was definitely the best part.

We traveled for a week around southern Germany and for one day in Austria. Then, it was finally time to go and see our partners again and meet their families for the first time. It was definitely an exciting, but nerve-wracking day. It was so great to see their big, smiling and welcoming faces when we got off of the train. Many hugs were given to everyone.

We were also able to attend school with them. Their school system is very different from ours, and we were taking little day trips during the three weeks with them, so we didn’t get our own schedules like they did. We only got a different schedule on Fridays, depending on what classes we chose. They have a different schedule for Monday’s through Friday’s, and they even get off-periods during the middle of the school day where they can either go home and eat, go to the store or hang-out upstairs in rooms they have open for the students.

During our time there, we were able to work with some of the refugee children who come to the school every once in awhile. At the end of one of the school days, they came, and we were able to play games, draw, do puzzles and other activities with them. It was so much fun to see these small children be able to enjoy their day and have fun. Many of them were between the ages of three and eight or nine.

The food was amazing, and my partner’s mother was an amazing cook. They don’t eat out as often as we do, and they seem to have many more options of what to eat. The super markets are also super fun to go through. Their sweets and chocolate are the absolute best! I could’ve only eaten those the whole time we were there.

The last week I was not able to attend, but the rest of the group went to northern Germany, like Berlin, and did many tours and sightseeing. This GAPP trip was definitely a once in a lifetime trip. I am so happy I was able to be a part and be able to experience everything it had to offer. I have made many forever friends through this trip, and I was also able to experience what life is like in a totally different country, which was the best.