Germany Exchange

FAQs  

Can I participate in this program without hosting someone in my place of residence?
No, this is an exchange, so each family has to host a student.

Do I need a passport /visa for the exchange?
You will need a valid Canadian passport to enter Germany. Your passport should also be valid for 90 days upon return to Canada. You do not need a Travel Visa to enter Germany if you are a Canadian citizen. If you are not a Canadian citizen you will need to contact your consulate to find out if you need a visa or not.

What grade do I need to be in to apply for the exchange?
Ideally you will apply in your grade 9 or 10 year and then participate in the exchange the following year, when you are in grade 10 or 11.  However, the Exchange Board will consider students participating in their grade 12 year. These cases will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Can my parents come and visit? No, parents are discouraged from visiting their student during the exchange as it can make the student feel more home sick and cause issues upon the parent leaving. In addition, one of the goals of the exchange is to make the students more independent and grow as an individual. A parent visiting can set them back.

Can I travel to other countries while on the exchange?
Travel outside of Germany is permitted if the BCHLA is notified ahead of time and the Canadian parents agree to it. Many times, German schools will do field trips to other countries, but again the BCHLA should be notified.

How much money do I need?
You will need money only for souvenirs and/or clothing. The German family is expected to pay for your everyday costs, such as bus passes, food, movie tickets (to name a few) and trips that the family may take. You are one of the family and if the family's children do not pay for things neither should you.

What can I do to complete my courses for my 10 weeks away?
Ask your school counsellors to 'front-load' your first semester with core classes and as many electives as possible, including German, in second semester. It is also recommended to take a summer course to lessen your load during the exchange. Talk to your teachers to see if any of them would be willing to do an online version of their in-class course. Some teachers are open to this idea, where you can do your work in Germany and submit it electronically to them.

Will I have any fees for school in Germany?
BC and Rhineland-Palatinate have an agreement that cancels out fees for both students, other than your normal fees from your own school.

Will I need my German-school grades for my BC-school?
The main purpose is to learn German, and so the focus in your classes will be developing your German - you won't need your German course marks for your BC-school. You will need to coordinate with your teachers how you will complete your BC-school courses. The exchange is a school-sanctioned activity, so your counsellors and teachers will be open to making a plan with you. Contact them as soon as you are able in order to create a plan for the work you'll miss during your 10 weeks away.

What kind of courses will I take in at my German school?
Everyone will be different, but you should get your own schedule and not just shadow your German partner. We encourage you to take a German course for foreigners or even take lower-level German if possible to build up your language skills. We recommend working with your exchange partner and family to get your schedule set up before you arrive. It would also work to not have high level sciences or English classes in Germany and instead take time during those blocks to work on your BC courses, so you don’t have to do them after your school day. Make sure to have classes such music and PE (Sport) as they will provide you with more opportunities to speak German.

Will I be travelling by myself?
There will a chaperone from the BCHLA meeting you at the airport in Vancouver and flying with you to Frankfurt, Germany, and there will also be other BC students travelling with you.

What level of German do I need to be successful on the exchange?
Most likely, you'll have 1.5 German courses under your belt before you travel to Germany. This has been a good level for students going in the past. If you wish to supplement your learning through language apps such as Duolingo, that would be beneficial also.

Can I rely on my English to get around in Germany?
Many people in Germany speak English, and will want to speak English with you, but the more you can stay with your German, the more you'll learn and enjoy the experience of living in another country, experiencing another culture. Do not be discouraged by your inability to not speak German at the beginning. If you stick with it most students feel competent at around the halfway point of the exchange. You are also encouraged to read basic German newspapers, ads, and watch German TV. These will all help in developing your understanding and speaking ability.

How much should I keep in touch with friends and family in BC during my time in Germany?
You should limit your time corresponding with your peer group in BC. We have found that students who are constantly messaging their BC friends miss out on connecting with German students and their family, lose out on sleep and feel more homesick. Your goal is to immerse yourself in your experience and the German language. Your hometown and friends will still be the same when you get back and you will have missed nothing. But hopefully you will have been more independent, outgoing and confident for your exchange experience and will have positive memories to last you a lifetime!

How will I be able to get around in my exchange-partner's town?
Germany has a very well-developed and low-cost public transit system so you will be able to take the bus, tram, and train to school and nearby towns. Travelling to nearby cities is very easy. In some cases, students get driven to school by their host family, ride bikes or walk.

Will participation in the exchange, and the time away, hurt my marks in my classes at my own school?
Completing work for your teachers for the time you will be away will add to your work in preparation for the exchange, but the experience of the exchange will pay off in preparing you for your Grade 12 year - problem solving skills, language practice, and experience living in another culture will all provide you with a broader perspective for your next year and beyond. Many have called the exchange 'the best thing they have done.' Others have said that seeing the challenges faced by German students in a highly academic school inspired them to strive for high achievement in their Grade 12 year back at home. In the end, you should be more prepared than ever for your final year of high school in BC.