German American Partnership Program
2010 is almost here, we've had exchanges since 1972, with Homberg since 1983, how long ago was that? Now it's your turn to become the next participant that has experiences that will last a life time, moments that become everlasting stories to tell everyone about. So what's holding you back? Current economic downturns have reduced the price to pre 2000 rates. Experiences pay you back your whole life and also in college. Get on board for 2010. Check it out here.
Here is a sample of what you will be experiencing. Get on board and have the experience of a lifetime!
Click here on the red for a copy of the 2009 Hosting Calendar - and more Calendar information is available by clicking Details.
Hessen TV on your Computer
You can now see Hessen TV free on the internet. This is just a great way to see programming from the region of Germany with which we have our exchange.
You can watch Hessen TV very easily. Start by clicking on http://www.hr-online.de. Then click on Fernsehen. Look for the very small hr-fernsehn live on the right side, way down on the page and left click on that. You will need to install Octoshape for the type of computer operating system you have, which you will find on that page. You might also need to install Java if it is not on your system. I had to install Octoshape twice for it to work on my computer and I also had to restart the computer before it worked. You might also have to install Windows Media Player version 11. Earlier versions don’t work. Remember that Germany is 7 hours ahead and this is live TV so to watch the 8:00 p.m. news you will need to have the live stream, streaming at 1:00 p.m.
Click on the live stream link on the “hr-fernsehn live” page and you can get all of the latest information from Hessen all in German. Good luck.
Long Distance, International, too!
Another cool computer deal is to use Skype to make long distance phone calls. I have it installed on my computer and click on Germany to make calls to landlines there for 2.1 cents per minute from my computer. Your computer will need a microphone and a speaker or a headset with a mic. Some come with these options other don't. Good luck. You can experiment and call your home phone from your computer, sorry but that will cost you 2.1 cents per minute, too. Stay away from cell phone when you use these types of shortcuts or calling cards. Landlines (Festnet in German) don't surprise you with extensive bills later.
Homberg THS
Our partner school is undergoing a web page change, look at this sight anyway to see some pictures of the town and school.(http://h1272976.stratoserver.net/joomla/)
Homberg/Efze
Have fun and click on some of the pictures to see what Little Red Riding Hood in German "Rotkäpchen" looked like. Most of the Grimm fairy tales were collected in the Homberg area, find it at http://www.homberg-efze-kreisstadt.de/167.0.html and the city and region of northern Hesse at http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homberg/Efze.
Homberg GAPP Exchange TRIP BOOK
The following German Trip Book is a Microsoft Word document more than 21 years in the making with many contributers and is quite good. There are so many things to consider. This document will take a long time to download and even more time to comprehend.
- German Trip Book
Homberg Trip Legal Documents and Personal Profile!
The legal documents need to be completed for participation in the exchange and signed before a Notary Public to be legal. They are also Word documents but with only 4 pages they should not take long to open. The personal Profile also must be filled out, use your best handwriting, be neat because this is the first item your German families will receive from you. As soon as you have received and signed your passport, send a copy of the page with signature and picture in as well.
- Legal Documents
- Personal Profile Form.
- German School Experience
- Travel Journal 2009
- Student Evaluation (Mandatory at end of Exchange)
- Contact Information
Dies und Das!
Here is another Suggested Packing List in addition to the above list in the German Trip Book.
Here is the Calendar of Events in Germany for 2009.
Look to Travel Times and Contact Information to find out how to call German Phones from US.
