The German American Partnership Program is a bilateral exchange between Kaspar-Zeuß Gymnasium and Traverse City West Senior High that takes place every other year.

This year, 11 American students and 11 German students are participating in a two-week exchange. The students live with host families, attend school with their partners and get to know each other’s regions through various field trips. The Americans have visited: The ropes course at Kloster Banz, the museum in Mödlareuth, Nürnberg and Kronach for historical city tours, summer solstice celebrations, and public viewings of World Cup soccer. Host families have also shown the students many other wonderful aspects of German life that they will remember forever. The teachers’ and families’ commitment to the success of the program is evident in their efforts to make the students feel welcome. The partnership teaches the students about daily life and culture, brings history lessons to life, and immerses them in the language. German students will visit Traverse City, Michigan in September for 2 weeks. They will also participate in a similar program.