Turpin Students Build Lifelong Connections Through German Exchange Program

As Turpin High School said “auf Wiedersehen” to German exchange students earlier this month, they continue another successful year of an ongoing partnership with Gymnasium im Schloss. Through the German American Partnership Program (GAPP) since 2014, Turpin has held a strong relationship with the school located in Wolfenbüttel, Germany, both sending and hosting students for an enhanced global education. During the beginning of October, students of Gymnasium im Schloss stayed with Turpin students, attending school, touring the Cincinnati area and continuing a tradition of building global connections. 

The exchange program pairs Turpin and Gymnasium im Schloss students together to host each other. Students stay with their partner’s family while attending school and traveling around the region. Most recently, Turpin hosted Gymnasium im Schloss students and teachers, helping facilitate an immersive American school experience. Outside of the school day, the exchange students participated in a fun program learning about the history of Cincinnati, visiting local sights and engaging in fun activities in the area. 

Prior to hosting Gymnasium im Schloss students this school year, Turpin students who had completed at least German 3 traveled to Germany to participate in similar programming. For two weeks they attended school at Gymnasium im Schloss and explored the surrounding region, taking another week to visit Berlin, Munich, the Alps and other regions based on student interest. Turpin travels to their German partner school every other year, while Gymnasium im Schloss attends Turpin the years they do not travel. 

As the Gymnasium im Schloss students’ time at Turpin High School came to a close, they gave presentations about the culture in their country, region and school, comparing it to their observations from the United States. Even Turpin students not taking German had the opportunity to learn and build connections spanning international borders, concluding another successful trip for the exchange program.