Hosting a Student
GAPP would like to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate you on your decision to host a German student. We're appreciative because of your hospitality and generosity! We think congratulations are in order because your decision reveals a deep interest on your part to get to know another culture, to strengthen bonds between one culture and another. We hope each day will be a wonderful learning experience for you and your invited guest!
The Golden Rule of Hosting
Treat your guest student the way you would want your son/daughter treated by the German host family.
Hosting Expectations
1. Provide own bed and clean, neat area for your student. It is not a necessity that they have their
own room, but they should not have to share a bed.
2. Be there for student offering loving home. Communicate with them.
3. Make arrangements for student to get to and from school and events. They ride the school bus at no additional cost to you and eat lunch at school. Please make sure that your school lunch account has sufficient funds.
4. Provide regular meals as you do for your own children, whether at home or eating out together.
5. Familiarize student with household routines:
a. meal times, laundry days, curfews, bedtime
b. how to operate American appliances
c. use of the telephone, both local and international; how, if, when
d. chores - don't be afraid to ask student to do things around house
6. This is not a vacation for them. It is an educational experience!
7. Free up as much of your own and family's time while student is here.
8. Take time to talk with the student. They're here to learn English.
9. If you plan a trip for the weekend outside the area, please leave a telephone number where you can be contacted.
10. Don't plan something for every minute! Students may need time to be alone.
11. Help write welcome letter before student arrives, maybe with photos.All parents want to be reassured that their kids are in good hands.
12. Although this hardly ever happens, remember that not all matches are perfect. It's not your fault if it doesn't work out. Some personalities just don't mesh. Let coordinators know of problems before they get out of hand. Sometimes "problems" can be explained as simple cultural misunderstandings.
13. Your hospitality and generosity are greatly appreciated! We hope each day will be a wonderful learning experience for you and your guest!
14. At the conclusion of the Germans' stay please share any constructive feedback you might have with Frau Timmermann.
own room, but they should not have to share a bed.
2. Be there for student offering loving home. Communicate with them.
3. Make arrangements for student to get to and from school and events. They ride the school bus at no additional cost to you and eat lunch at school. Please make sure that your school lunch account has sufficient funds.
4. Provide regular meals as you do for your own children, whether at home or eating out together.
5. Familiarize student with household routines:
a. meal times, laundry days, curfews, bedtime
b. how to operate American appliances
c. use of the telephone, both local and international; how, if, when
d. chores - don't be afraid to ask student to do things around house
6. This is not a vacation for them. It is an educational experience!
7. Free up as much of your own and family's time while student is here.
8. Take time to talk with the student. They're here to learn English.
9. If you plan a trip for the weekend outside the area, please leave a telephone number where you can be contacted.
10. Don't plan something for every minute! Students may need time to be alone.
11. Help write welcome letter before student arrives, maybe with photos.All parents want to be reassured that their kids are in good hands.
12. Although this hardly ever happens, remember that not all matches are perfect. It's not your fault if it doesn't work out. Some personalities just don't mesh. Let coordinators know of problems before they get out of hand. Sometimes "problems" can be explained as simple cultural misunderstandings.
13. Your hospitality and generosity are greatly appreciated! We hope each day will be a wonderful learning experience for you and your guest!
14. At the conclusion of the Germans' stay please share any constructive feedback you might have with Frau Timmermann.
More Hosting Tips and Information
To learn more about what is involved in hosting a GAPP student, please click on the link below.
gapphosttips.doc | |
File Size: | 32 kb |
File Type: | doc |
GAPP Application Form
Once you have made the decision to host, please download the GAPP application form. Have your son/daughter complete it and return it to Frau Timmermann. Watch the school newsletter for reminders of the application deadline.
application_form.doc | |
File Size: | 66 kb |
File Type: | doc |
Planning for our Guests
Missed a meeting? Below are the minutes from meetings you might have missed. You may download them and either save them to your own computer or print them out for reference. Minutes from previous hosting years can be found by clicking on the heading "Planning for our Guests."