I have a junior who is considering taking this trip and would really like to know experiences and thoughts. Feel free to respond or to message me. Thanks so much!
My daughter did this the summer before her senior year, 2008. She loved it! She was the only student from her school to attend. Most of the students in her group were from the same HS in PA. She still keeps in touch with some of them. The teacher/chaperone was also from this school.
She loved her host family and enjoyed attending German school. The group also did field trips together. It was a great experience and her German improved greatly. She returned to Germany with her Dad the next summer after graduation and visited with her host family.
I know that my daughter would highly recommend it. Do you have any specific questions?
That is so good to hear!! Ok…questions
- How accessible is the chaperone that goes to their specific region with them?
- If they choose a certain region, will others from the trip be in the same area and attending the same schools?
- Did she win the trip as an outcome of the National German exam or did she pay for the trip?
I’m sure I’ll think of others.
Spoke with my daughter and this is what she said.
- Chaperone was with them for all field trips. She was also the lead teacher for the their classes at the German school. They did attend class with their host some as well. She said she spent two weekends with just the host family, no organized activity with the group.
- Everyone in her group attended the same school. They flew over together from Newark, NJ and flew back together as well.
- we paid for her to go.
My daughter was in Braunschweig, Germany.
Let me know if you have any other questions. My daughter would definitely go again.
My son did this in 2012. He had a great experience. He won the trip as part of the national German exam. As I recall, he didn’t get to choose his region.
What’s the cost?
@awesomepolyglot …it’s free if they rock the German exam given by the AAGT! But I understand that is a slim chance so the cash pay price is $3800 I believe. D will be starting a new job to pay her share:)
I’m about to take the Level 2 NGE and I didn’t do too well on the practices (about an 84-85% average) so this whole thing is probably out of reach. 
@awesomepolyglot …keep practicing! One thing we can’t tell is…do you have to make a 90% to qualify OR score in the 90th percentile of those taking the exam?? Do you know?
This is my daughters first time taking the exam and she will be taking the Level 3. I wish she would’ve taken it last year. Either way it is a fantastic opportunity and she hopes to go even if she doesn’t win the scholarship.
Good luck!
I have absolutely no idea.
Anybody hear back from AATG about the status of their forms/admission? (the forms were due on April 12 i think)