On exchange in a German family. Exchange program for schoolchildren in Germany

Study abroad programs are divided into vacation and academic; schoolchildren, students and adults can participate in them; you can study in almost any country in the world. Today we will talk about the German-Russian Exchange program. For schoolchildren, this is an excellent way to learn German, as they say, in 3D: this is the only way to ensure complete immersion in the language environment. After living in another country for several months, making new friends and getting acquainted with a new culture, the children begin to truly understand German speech.

Learning is an adventure

The system works very simply: the Initiative Center in Berlin has a reliable partner - the public organization German-Russian Exchange (DRA), which has existed since 1992. As part of the program, Russian students can go to one of the cities in Germany and study in a German school for 1 to 3 months (the length of stay can be determined by yourself). During this time, the program participant will live with a German family.

German schoolchildren, in turn, come to Russia for several months, live with Russian families, and study in Russian schools. They attend classes like regular students. Teachers thus have the opportunity to involve the “newcomer” in school activities and increase students’ interest in learning a foreign language.

This is how Natalya Shishkina, who participated in the program in 2011, recalls her “German” experience:
— By the time I decided to go to Germany as an exchange student, my level of language skills was not very good. I studied German on my own and really wanted to learn more about this country. In Berlin, I lived in a house near the center, with a German family. And besides the girl, Henrike soon became friends with other students at the school. It was only difficult for the first three days, when I had to get used to constantly hearing German speech. And then it was as if my brain had “restructured itself” and I began to understand the language. The German school surprised me with the abundance of practice and conversations with students. I was not given any grades, but I got to know the education system and attended interesting lessons. And in a month I managed to see, it seems, all the sights of Berlin!

How to participate in the program?

Any student aged 14-17 years can go on an exchange trip to Germany during the school year (to cope with the difficulties of adaptation in an unfamiliar country, you need to be independent and confident in your own abilities). And since you will have to live in a German family and study in a German school, a basic level of knowledge of the language is required. The program is structured in such a way that schoolchildren take turns participating in the program. First, a Russian schoolboy goes to Germany; he lives in a German family where there is someone his age. Then a German teenager comes to Russia and is taken in by his Russian friend's family, or vice versa.

Parents and schoolchildren choose which family they want to “intermix” with for several months using a questionnaire in which program participants talk about themselves, their family, interests, hobbies, etc.

The requirements for a family are flexible: it may be incomplete, and it is not necessary for a schoolchild to have a free room at its disposal. And of course, no one will oblige him to turn every day of his stay in the country into a holiday. The German participant lives the ordinary life of a Russian student - this is the essence of the exchange program. You can plan excursions, going to the cinema together or dinners with national dishes yourself.

Henrike Vogel from Berlin, a participant in the program in 2011, recalls her experience:
— Several years ago I firmly decided to learn Russian. My talent for learning foreign languages, my ambition and photographic memory have led me to great success. The only Russian voice that I constantly heard was my own voice, until my exchange friend Natasha came to visit me, and she kept expressing her surprise: “You speak with almost no accent!” After Natasha stayed with me and my family in Berlin for about a month, we both flew to St. Petersburg. During a train ride from St. Petersburg to Petrozavodsk, for a long time I could not understand what surprised me so much. It doesn't get dark! White nights... I could enjoy this miracle for a whole month. Natasha and I spent an unforgettable vacation. It was especially pleasant to walk along the shore of the lake, walking in the sun. I have never been as tanned as this summer. We also had excursion programs. By boat we reached the island of Kizhi and spent the night in a village... I found new friends in Russia, a new Russian family, my knowledge of the language improved, and I was once again convinced of how important openness and tolerance are in our society.

Do you doubt your knowledge of German?

For schoolchildren who do not study German or are not confident in their school knowledge of German, but really want to go on an exchange to Germany, the Initiative Center offers the course “German for Exchange”. The program lasts 128 hours - from September to May - and is open to schoolchildren aged 12-16 who have a beginner or basic level of German. After training, the participant can safely apply for participation in the exchange program. Training will begin in September, and you can apply now.

This program will be especially useful for schoolchildren who want to get to know Germany first-hand, and, perhaps, enter a German university in the future. The trip will give them the opportunity to improve their level of German, get used to the German way of life and understand whether they really want to study and work in Germany.

You can learn more about the Russia-Germany exchange program at the Initiative Center. Website: http://centrinit.ru/. Address: st. Krasnaya, 30A. Phone: 78-11-30.

Live brightly: study and travel with the Initiative Center!

Studying in Germany as an exchange student is a unique chance for Russian boys and girls to live in one of the most developed countries in the world, to plunge into a completely new atmosphere, and to compare the domestic and German education systems. During the training, schoolchildren and students from the Russian Federation will be able not only to actively acquire new knowledge and improve their German language, but also to see the sights of Germany with their own eyes and make new acquaintances. Many of the young people who participated in student exchange programs continue their studies in Germany.

What does the Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offer?

The most significant organization in Germany, which unites more than 300 German universities, scientific and student societies, and is also active in the field of international exchange of students and young scientists, is the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). The organization has been operating since 1925 and today has 15 international branches, including one in Moscow, and 56 information centers, of which three operate in the Russian Federation - in St. Petersburg, Kazan and Novosibirsk.

Among the tasks of DAAD in the Russian Federation are strengthening diversified ties between Russian and German universities, increasing the status of the German language, assisting Russian youth who want to get an education in German universities, organizing student and graduate student exchanges.

DAAD provides the opportunity to:

• gain educational and scientific experience in Germany through scholarships. Preference is given to senior undergraduate students;
• improve qualifications in one of the universities or research centers in Germany for university teachers, scientists, graduate students;
• take a three- to four-week summer course in German in Germany with expenses for housing, meals, and language courses covered through a scholarship from DAAD (850 euros);
• students from Russia study for 1-2 semesters in Germany on a parity basis, under regional or interuniversity programs.

On its websites, DAAD regularly updates information about various scholarships, grants and other programs to support young scientists and students, links to other donor organizations, as well as offers from German universities.

How student exchange programs work

In the modern world, the mobility of schoolchildren and students is considered as a necessary component of the educational process. Nothing can activate cognitive abilities, bring new experiences, expand one’s worldview, motivate to study other cultures, foreign languages ​​and much more than direct complete immersion in a different environment, staying in another country, living and communicating with peers.

In Russia, there are several options for how school and university students can go to Germany for exchange studies:

• receive an invitation from an educational institution (for this you need to contact the relevant university or school in person);
• within the framework of interuniversity/school student exchange programs, having passed an open competitive selection;
• receive a grant under the international academic mobility program;
• take part in the annual competition of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science within the framework of the intergovernmental agreement between Germany and the Russian Federation.

Naturally, exchange programs for students and schoolchildren have big differences that should be taken into account.

Studying in Germany for schoolchildren: features of exchanges

The German-Russian student exchange has become quite widespread in both countries. Most often, schoolchildren in Germany choose gymnasium - schools that prepare for entering universities, and realschule - schools with in-depth study of the exact sciences.

The age of children to participate in the program is from 14 to 17 years. Schoolchildren have the opportunity to choose a host family to live with - a large family living in a big or small city or village.

The duration of study can vary from two to three months to an academic year. Study programs include compulsory subjects (mathematics, German and history) and additional subjects of the student’s choice.

Interesting fact. The first school exchange program appeared in the United States after the end of World War II. It was then that their peers from Germany and Japan came to American schoolchildren, who lived in American families for a year and studied together with their peers from the United States. This program was supposed to reconcile former opponents and teach them to better understand each other. Similar practices began to be carried out in other countries.

Required conditions for participation are good school performance and passing a German language test. For high school students, level B2 is required, for juniors - participants in language schools - level A1/A2.

It is necessary to take into account possible difficulties that may arise for schoolchildren who participated in the exchange during the academic year: differences in school programs, delays in passing the Unified State Exam, failure to pass subjects, differences in the style and standard of living of the host family and the child’s family, negative impacts.

Exchange studies in Germany for university students

Students of higher educational institutions of the Russian Federation have great opportunities to go to study in Germany under one of the exchange programs. Competitions for participation in such programs take place annually; applications from foreign students usually take place from October to February.

Exchange trips are usually short-term and last for one or two semesters. Students can use:

• exchange program with a partner university. Many Russian universities have bilateral student exchange agreements with German universities. In addition, universities from the Russian Federation that are members of the Erasmus + Charter as partners have the opportunity to enter into agreements with universities participating in the program from Germany and take part in a special short-term exchange program for undergraduate and graduate students - Credit Mobility.

According to the provisions of this program, Russian students and graduate students receive the right to study at universities in Germany for a period of three to twelve months with subsequent recognition of credit units. Program participants are paid all expenses related to transport, and;

• German foundations and student exchange programs (DAAD, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and others). Thus, the Copernicus Stipendium scholarship program gives students from Eastern Europe the opportunity to study for a semester in Berlin and Hamburg.

Upon completion of training, the student is given a certificate, which records all courses completed and grades received.

What is needed to participate in exchange programs in Germany

School exchange in Germany involves participation in one or another program. Among school exchange programs, commercial ones predominate - about 99%, but the state inspects and controls their activities: for example, STARacademy, which operates in 17 Russian cities.

Children of all interested citizens of the Russian Federation can take part in such programs if the schoolchildren study German, have a certain independence, and their parents can pay for all services.

Participation in non-profit exchange programs (for example, AFS) involves a competitive selection of applicants. This is because the child will represent his country abroad, so he must be gifted and prepared in a certain way.

All students of Russian universities aged 18 to 25 who are studying at bachelor’s and master’s degrees, with good command of the German language (at least B2), without academic debt and with high academic performance at their university can participate in university short-term academic mobility programs; grades from the record book will be transferred to Notendurchschnitt, the average score must be at least 4.5. If the number of people wishing to study in Germany exceeds the established quota, then a competitive selection of participants takes place.

To participate in such programs, both schoolchildren and students need to prepare appropriate packages of documents.

What documents are required to study in Germany as an exchange student?

To participate in student exchange programs, the following documents are required:

• application forms;
• birth certificate or passport (copies);
• the student’s biography and school results for the last three years;
• medical certificate and health insurance;
• letter of recommendation from parents;
• invitation;
• parental permission to travel abroad for a minor child, certified by a notary;

Students are required to prepare:

• motivation letter;
• a copy of the invitation with a translation into Russian;
• individual curriculum;
• medical certificate of health
• open visa to Germany.

When traveling to Germany under the Erasmus + program, after confirmation of the nomination, you must fill out a mobility agreement – ​​Learning for studies.

It should be noted that from January 1, 2018, students can apply for participation in this program only once - to one university. After completing their studies and returning, they must provide the university with a copy of their passport with a border crossing stamp and a two-page report within three days.

Tuition and living expenses

Studying in Germany as an exchange for Russian schoolchildren usually involves mutual financial expenses; if some programs require unilateral participation, without hosting a German student, an additional surcharge of 500 euros is provided.

Commercial programs require payment of the cost of school tuition, homestay accommodation, three meals a day - from two thousand euros (2 months) to eight thousand euros (academic year).

Additional payment will be required for visa, medical insurance, travel to the destination and back, registration fee at the airport, and pocket expenses; These expenses will also be incurred when participating in non-profit programs.

Germany provides financial support for foreign students who come for a short period of time. Exchange training is accompanied by the payment of monthly scholarships ranging from 800 to 900 euros.

Russian students are placed in host families or student dormitories. Scholarships are spent on food, accommodation, tuition, and pocket expenses. Universities in smaller cities in Germany tend to have lower educational costs than in larger centers. If the student is self-financing, proof (Finanzierungsnachweis) of the amount of eight thousand euros must be provided to participate in the program.

Let's sum it up

Studying for Russian schoolchildren and exchange students in Germany has many positive aspects: introducing young people to world educational standards, the opportunity to get to know German culture better, improve their knowledge of the German language, discover new horizons, become more independent, and much more.

There are dozens of student exchange centers in Germany and the Russian Federation. The exchange program for students differs from school ones in its more practical orientation. At universities, international departments are involved in this area; there are dozens of scholarship programs and funds in Germany and the EU.

Students who have studied 2-3 semesters in Germany and received a German certificate of courses completed have certain advantages when finding employment.

What it's like to have an exchange semester in Germany: Video

School exchange programs are a great opportunity for Russian teenagers to travel, study and learn about the culture of other countries. Many former participants in such programs admit that the experience of living abroad greatly influenced their lives. Some went to study abroad to receive higher education. GSA specialists explained what school exchanges are and why they are needed.

School exchange programs in Russia

A little over two decades ago, it was difficult to imagine that teenagers from Russia would be able to travel around the world, live with host families and study in foreign schools. Now all doors are open for this. Schoolchildren have the opportunity to go on exchange studies abroad, immerse themselves in the culture of another country, communicate with local residents, gain useful experience of living independently abroad, and improve their level of foreign language proficiency.

One of the most popular programs in the field of international educational exchange is AFS. This is a non-profit organization operating in Russia since 1992. The main goal of AFS programs is intercultural learning and global education. AFS has partner organizations in 56 countries. In Russia it is represented in 20 federal subjects. Thanks to this program, Russian schoolchildren can travel to almost any country in the world. The exchange can take place in several formats - class to class, individual exchange. The length of stay in another state can also vary from several months to an academic year. Enrollment for the program annually begins on June 15 and ends on November 15.

For many years, the American school exchange program FLEX (Future Leaders Exchange) operated in Russia. Russian schoolchildren could travel for free to different states of America, live with local families, and go to a foreign school. Since the program was created, more than 8 thousand Russian teenagers have taken part in it. However, in October 2014, Russia suspended its participation in the US government program. The ban on the program caused disappointment among many students and their parents. At the same time, representatives from Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Moldova still have a chance to study in the USA for an academic year for free.

Now parents who want to send their child to study in the United States have to look for partially paid exchange programs. ACES is such a program; it has been operating in Russia since 2009. Teenagers from 15 to 18 years old are invited to participate. Registration for training, which will take place from January to June 2017, is underway on the program website. The main requirements for applicants are a level of English not lower than intermediate and an average score in their home school not lower than C+. Other requirements include openness, sociability and activity. Another American program currently available to Russian schoolchildren is the New York State program. Here, the age of participants has been reduced by one year; teenagers aged 14-18 years can go to study abroad. However, there is little time left before enrollment ends for this program. Training will begin in September 2016 and will last until June 2017.

Nowadays, trips to Germany as part of school exchanges are very popular among Russian students. The reason for its popularity is high standards of education and free training. The German-Russian International Exchange Foundation operates in Russia. The Foundation is the central coordination center for school exchanges with Russia throughout Germany. Since its founding in 2006, thousands of Russian schoolchildren have visited Germany. A popular school exchange program is “German-Russian Exchange” (“Deutsch-Russischer-Austausch”). Participants spend the entire academic year or several months in Germany. By the way, this same program gives schoolchildren the opportunity to travel to Austria. In these countries, teenagers live in guest families and study in local schools and improve their German language skills. In order to go under this program, you need to fill out an application, pass the selection process, sign an agreement, fill out forms in German and wait for the guest family’s form.

How to go to study under the school exchange program?

Different programs have different requirements for the age and abilities of participants. They can be viewed on the official websites of the programs. The organizers pay attention to the level of foreign language proficiency. High requirements for language proficiency in the USA. Other countries have less stringent requirements. Potential program participants must also do well, if not excel, in school. If the program is paid, parents will be required to cover the costs associated with the trip: visa, tickets, health insurance and administrative costs, as well as fill out the application form on time. The organizers pay great attention to the student’s desire to participate; he must have strong motivation. Sociable, positive, open-minded teenagers who are able to quickly adapt to a changing environment have a better chance of getting into the program. It is important to be able to overcome difficulties that may arise along the way.

Those wishing to go to study abroad must undergo a pre-selection. What he really is? Most often this means filling out a questionnaire and undergoing an interview. During the interview, the candidate shows his communication skills, flexibility of character, willingness to change and learn. Next, a host family is selected for the teenager. This is a careful selection process. The receiving party tests a family that is ready to accept a student. Testing ensures that these people have only honest intentions and will be happy to welcome a foreign guest into the family. Often these are families with small children or with children the same age as program participants, “young pensioners” whose children have grown up and left their parents. The organizers tell the host families about their rights and responsibilities in their relationship with the child. ACES requires children to have their own room or a room with a child of the same sex. Teenagers eat with their host family, and school lunches are paid for with money sent by their parents.

Where can I find information about school exchanges? You can view the websites of foreign embassies. Also ask head teachers and foreign language teachers about this opportunity. If your school has well-developed activities in the field of international exchanges, teachers will help you navigate the process of preparing documents and entrance examinations. In schools with in-depth study of the language, which actively interact with their foreign colleagues, in order to go abroad on an exchange program, students simply need to study well and know the language at the proper level. Another way is to contact special agencies involved in international school exchanges. If you thoroughly understand the topic, you can pass the program on your own.

Exchanges are financed through various funds and programs in which schools participate, as well as at their own expense. Students live with another family for anywhere from a few weeks to an entire academic year.

Stories of school exchange participants

Anastasia Platovskikh
student at the European University Viadrina, Germany

I participated in school exchange programs 3 times. I visited Berlin, Munich and Vienna. I lived in each city for about 7-10 days. I was lucky with all three host families. All family members were very hospitable and friendly. They showed me the city and introduced me to the national cuisine. As for studies, there were no fundamental differences from Russia. Classes there start at 8 am and end at 1 pm. There are schools with a five-day school week. Pupils do not wear school uniform.

The curriculum is extended, so students have more free time for other activities. To get into the school exchange program, I did not take any exams or write applications. I just had a strong desire to participate, to go travel. A big role was played by the fact that I studied at a school with in-depth study of the German language. The exchanges helped me understand why I need language and “removed” the language barrier. The attitude towards the German language as a subject that needs to be passed just for show has outgrown a love for it that continues to this day.

Ksenia Barinova
school graduate

I went on a school exchange program to Brazil (state of Santa Catarina, city of Sao Miguel do Huesci) and lived there for 11 months. The trip was organized by the Interculture Foundation (AFS). A school in Brazil is not one educational building, as we are used to seeing in Russia, but a whole complex of buildings: one building for high school and middle school students, another building for junior school, a third for computer science lessons, laboratory work, dance classes, a fourth - for the assembly hall, and there is also a gym with a nearby open stadium.

One of the most significant differences between Russian and Brazilian schools is the freer relationship between teachers and students. For example, my history teacher very often sat on the teacher’s desk and explained the topic of the lesson, joked with the guys, expressed his personal opinion and listened to the opinions of the students. And my chemistry teacher and I often had lunch at a restaurant between morning and afternoon lessons. Students also affectionately call their favorite teachers “profi” (from the word “professor/professora” - teacher/teacher in Portuguese). The school has a lot of young and active teachers. Brazilian students are given almost no homework.

The school year in Brazil begins in mid-February and ends in early December. December, January and half of February are holidays during the hottest time of the year. In Brazil there is a 10-point rating scale. Anything less than 7 points is considered below the norm. It is worth noting that graduating classes take the Unified State Exam (ENEM) in December and a special university exam - vestibular, which can take place both in summer (December - January) and winter (June - August). A special exam is considered more important than the Unified State Exam.

Another interesting point is that in terçeirão or third year of high school (graduating year), students design a T-shirt and sweatshirt specifically for their class. The names of students and teachers are written on the back of the clothing, and on the foreground are elements, designs and symbols that characterize that class. The school uniform itself is particularly different from the Russian one. Each student has several T-shirts with the school logo, a sweatshirt, leggings, shorts, and pants. School shoes - comfortable, beautiful and fashionable sneakers. By the way, in a Brazilian school you can spend the night at school and have pajama parties with your class.

I noticed that in the south of the country students study much harder than in the north of Brazil. I went to school for two weeks in the hot north of the country, and what I immediately noticed was that in the class several people were sleeping, several were playing on the phone, others were listening to music or talking, and only 5 students were studying.

Brazilian people are very religious, so they also have religious instruction in school. In addition, at my school, every morning before the start of the school day, the director reads a prayer on the radio, and everyone quietly repeats the words behind her. This is completely voluntary, which means that non-believers or students with other religious beliefs do not have to pray before the start of lessons.

During my entire year of studying in Brazil, I had two host families. I lived in the first one for about 4 months, but we didn’t get along with each other. It was very difficult to adapt to the way of life, to the rules and daily routine of this family, especially when a person is alone in a strange place, and all problems need to be solved by himself, and no one can help. However, it builds character well, I gained experience, and now it seems to me that there is no problem that I cannot solve!

Then I changed my family. I fell in love with my parents, grandmother, brother and sister very much. They always treated me with understanding, helped me, we traveled and communicated a lot. I am very grateful to them for this. When I think about my Brazilian family, a very warm memory comes to mind associated with my Brazilian mother. Before going to bed (and during greetings and farewells), Brazilians hug and kiss on the cheeks. And one day my mother asked me how they say good night in Russia. Then I said that dad privately kisses me on the forehead and wishes me pleasant dreams, and after that May the Brazilian mamãe also began to wish good night in this way. There is always warmth and an atmosphere of love in Brazilian families.

Daria Bushmeleva
student at St. Petersburg State University, currently studying under a student exchange program at the Sorbonne University in Paris

I went on a school exchange program to France in 2010. I lived with a French family for 2 weeks. It was here that I felt the differences in mentalities. For example, it is not customary here to pay too much attention to the guest, to feed him in a special way and to prepare for his arrival. At a French school I studied rare languages; I could choose Greek or Latin.

At school I really liked the canteen, it was very large and the food there was incredibly tasty, and lunch lasted a whole hour. To go on a school exchange program, I entered the bilingual Russian-French department at my school, for which I had to pass an exam on knowledge of the French language. I think school pushed me to continue my studies in France.

Anna Saltykova
schoolgirl from Ukraine (Flex, USA)

I went to study at an American school in Beaver, Pennsylvania in 2015. The program was designed for 10 months. The American education system is completely different from what I'm used to. A wide selection of subjects, school clubs, and interest clubs are available. In each class there are different people who themselves chose to study this subject. There is a great working atmosphere.

The family I lived with was simply wonderful. They supported me and helped me with everything. If I lived on my own, it would be much harder for me. To go to America under the Flex program, I passed 3 qualifying rounds. All necessary documents were prepared by the program office. The trip had a positive impact on me, I want to change and change, to contribute to society! When you already have experience studying abroad, you want to get a higher education there. However, in America education is very expensive. After graduating from school, I plan to try to win a scholarship to study abroad, and if I’m unlucky, I’ll be glad to stay in my homeland.

The exchange program for schoolchildren in Germany is a year of study at a public school in Germany.

An exchange program for schoolchildren in Germany is an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with the German education system, the culture of the country, integrate into European society, and also find new friends from different parts of the world.

By studying in a public school in Germany on an exchange program, students gain unique life experiences that will help them develop communication skills and reveal their best qualities, such as independence, autonomy, decision-making, flexibility and attention to people. During their studies, schoolchildren improve their language skills in a way that they could not improve them in several years in Russia. Complete immersion in the language environment guarantees the achievement of maximum language results. Many schoolchildren, while participating in an exchange program in Germany, learn the full breadth of opportunities that exist in the world, which allows them to decide on the future direction of their professional activities.

Studying at a German school:

Depending on their language background, foreign students are accepted into the 9th, 10th or 11th grade of public schools in Germany, where they are trained on an equal basis with their German peers. Foreign students cannot study in the final year and are not allowed to take the final exams (Abitur).

Requirements:

The applicant must have excellent academic performance and a good level of German language proficiency (B2 and above). Important qualities of the applicant: independence, ability to adapt and quickly adapt to new conditions. Before admission, all students pass a mandatory written test to determine their level of German language proficiency.

Duration of training under the program:

The length of the academic year, consisting of 2 semesters, depends on the federal state in which the school is located.

Accommodation:

Exchange program participants in Germany are placed with specially selected host families, which undergo thorough vetting and are constantly inspected by authorized bodies. Schoolchildren are accommodated in a separate room on a full board basis (breakfast, lunch, dinner). All host families have a convenient location relative to school or transport.

Documents confirming completion of training.

After successfully completing the course, exchange program participants receive a diploma or certificate from the German school.

Insurance:

All students are provided with compulsory life insurance against accidents and liability insurance. The insurance covers the entire period of stay and is valid in Germany and other EU countries, which the student can visit in his free time.