Whitewater Times

Delavan-Darien High School (DDHS) is preparing for its third German/American Student Exchange Program in collaboration with Wilhelm-Gymnasium School (WGS) in Stuttgart, Germany. This initiative will allow DDHS students to host German students in the fall of 2025 and then travel to Germany in the spring of 2026.

During their stay in the United States, German students will be hosted by DDHS families. These students are typically freshmen or sophomores, aged between 14 and 16 years. Host families are responsible for incorporating these students into their daily lives, covering expenses such as meals and possible travel. DDHS participants must attend monthly preparation meetings and complete a personal document to share with their German counterparts. The matching process between DDHS students and German host families will be completed by the start of the 2025-2026 academic year.

In return, when DDHS students visit Germany, they will shadow their hosts at WGS, experiencing a typical school day and participating in cultural activities. The program includes a basic German language course and discussions on cultural similarities and differences. Students will stay with host families during this period. The cost for each DDHS student is approximately $1,800, covering the group flight and spending money.

The program encourages participation from 9th to 11th-grade students at DDHS. Interested students must undergo an application process based on academic performance, behavior, attendance records, and financial standing with the school. The program can accommodate up to 18 students.

A meeting for interested families is scheduled for Wednesday, March 5th at 7 PM in Quad 151 of Delavan-Darien High School. For further inquiries, Mr. Adam Alter can be contacted via phone or email.