Living in German and in Germany

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.