American Association of Teachers of German

The AATG German summer study trip to Bad Reichenhall was a fantastic opportunity and an absolutely amazing life experience. My parents had a lot of confidence in the homestay and school program which AATG has organized and offered for many years. Other students from my school had previously taken and recommended the three-week study trip. For me, the AATG trip was the culmination of my German language and culture studies. All of the elements of study came together to enable me to live life in Germany and in German. My own family does not speak German, so living with a German family and immersing in the language was a great opportunity to improve my vocabulary and speaking and comprehension skills. I spoke only German with my host family and was so glad that I did. I enjoyed every moment with my host sister and family. They could not have been more warm and wonderful. I hiked in the mountains and a gorge with my host siblings, and we swam in the local river. We played board games together on rainy days and some evenings. My host family also took me to visit Salzburg and a huge ice cave in nearby Austria. One of my favorite moments of my homestay was when my host dad taught me to drive the tractor on their farm. I traveled to Bad Reichenhall with 19 other American rising juniors and seniors and an AATG teacher/chaperone. Our travel group took many day trips to places like Munich, Schloss Herrenchiemsee, and Königssee in Berchtesgaden. Our teacher was a great guide and support, and I am still in touch with many of the other students and my host sister. The trip was well organized both in the United States before our departure and during our time in Germany. I returned from the summer study trip changed positively by the language and cultural immersion but also by the opportunity to grow personally and become more independent. I plan to study abroad for a semester or a year in Germany when I am in college, and the AATG summer study trip has helped me to prepare and left me excited for the future. I absolutely recommend the AATG summer study trip as an amazing learning experience in both the language and the culture, and it will be an experience you will remember throughout your entire life.

This program was one of the best opportunities I have ever had. The process of getting to the program was very straight forward, with resources to help you all along the way. It was a little stressful at first, considering that was my first time flying, but I was reassured constantly by the detailed schedules and resources.

Not only that but the staff and chaperones of AATG are incredibly helpful and very kind. The German teacher we were assigned for our program was always willing to help and always ready to have fun with us. She really helped us adjust to living in a country far from home.

The things a student or person will experience in this program will be remembered for the rest of their lives. It was altogether quite the experience!

When I arrived in Germany for the AATG Summer Study, I wasn’t sure what to think of this exotic, larger-than-life opportunity yet. But, by the time the three weeks had passed of the AATG Summer Study, I’d had the time of my life, and would never forget my trip.

I attended the AATG Summer Study in Leipzig, for 3 weeks, staying with a German host family, and attending school with my host brother most days. My family was very welcoming, and ensured I always felt at comfortable and at ease. All the host parents were caring, responsible adults who did their best to ensure the American exchange students had a good time.

Everyday of the trip was full of new experiences and things to do, all planned and coordinated by AATG and the German host school. Most days, we (Americans on the Summer Study) attended school with our host brother or sister, but also did a variety of amazing excursions. On some days, we went paddling in scenic lakes, we went on trips to beautiful cities like Dresden and Berlin, and visited famous monuments and sights. Overall, we always felt excited about the new adventures and experiences the next days would bring.

The total immersion in the German language worked wonders for all of our speaking/writing skills. I had difficulty understanding both written and spoken German, which, before the trip, seemed difficult to me. However, living with a German family for three weeks, and being in Germany itself, MASSIVELY improved my skills. I now feel like I have a great mastery of the language, and speak with confidence. The need to speak German wherever you go on the trip FORCES you to get good, and boosts your skills tenfold. There's something about being totally immersed in the language that no school textbook can ever match. Putting it simply, the immersion offered by the AATG Summer Study is unmatchable in its ability to hugely improve German skills. If anyone, no matter what their skill level, from beginner to advanced, wants to get better at German, go on the AATG Summer Study, and watch their German skyrocket!

When I first arrived, my German speaking skills weren't as good as I, and most likely my family, expected. After the three weeks; however, I noticed my comprehension, speaking, and reading skills had greatly improved. My host family was very supportive and tried their hardest to help me improve my skills. One day, I was grocery shopping with my mom and she had me name different foods she pointed to. When we got to one I didn't know, she would tell me and I would repeat it back to her. I'm sure that the effort my family put in to help me is why my German language skills improved so much.

The AATG summer study program is a truly one-of-a-kind experience. It's three weeks of complete immersion: German in school (the Gymnasium), German at home, and German with friends. My stay in Bonn was far better than I had hoped for. My host family was extremely nice, and they showed me real German culture, the kind of everyday culture you won't find at hotels. They took me kayaking on the Rhine and brought me to a cello masterclass (I'm a cellist) at the Beethoven House led by the famous Steven Isserlis!

At school, I experienced a range of classes led in German. That was another avenue for enlightenment, one I wouldn't, and couldn't have experienced without the AATG. There were several excursions, including one to Cologne and one to Burg Eltz. Essentially, I got to do all the tourist-y things in Germany, while still completely immersed in the language and culture.

If that doesn't convince you, then maybe the fact that I was given ample free time to explore the city will. With easy access to public transportation and ten friends, I was able to take in German culture in its most direct form: food. Assortments of sausages, kebabs, and sauerkraut were set forth and promptly consumed. Needless to say, it was amazing.

As an added bonus, my host father noticed I was reading a book about ancient history and took me around Bonn to various Roman ruins, and gave me a book about it at the end of my stay. The program was pretty much the most authentic German experience you can get. It was a boost to my facility in German, but more importantly, further invigorated my spirit for learning German, even back in the States.