How the program works

Oak Hills students may apply during their freshman or sophomore year to take part in the Oak Hills Dingolfing Exchange Program. 15 students will be chosen to host a German exchange student in September of the following school year. Generally, Oak Hills students will then stay with that student's family for a period of three weeks the following summer.

America

While in America, the German students attend school at Oak Hills. These students also participate in field trips to nearby sites of interest, which in the past have included Great American Ball Park, the Cincinnati Museum Center, the American Sign Museum, the University of Cincinnati, and various other attractions.

Germany

In Germany, Oak Hills students attend school at the local Gymnasium (college prep high school). They also tour downtown Dingolfing and other local places of importance, including St. Johannes Church, Marienplatz, the Herzogsburg, and the BMW Future Space technology lab. In the second week of their stay, Oak Hills students partake in a three-day side trip to another location, such as Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Rothenberg ob der Tauber, Heidelberg, or Lake Constance. A day trip to Munich is a highlight of the trip as well. During their stay in Germany, Oak Hills students are chaperoned by at least one member of the Oak Hills High School German Department (this is usually Frau Schott in odd years, Herr Schneider in even years). This teacher is also accompanied by either other teachers from the High School or by one (or more) of the district's fabulous middle school German teachers to ensure that the trip flows smoothly.

Why we do the program

Participating in a student exchange is a once in a lifetime experience. Many students who have taken part in this program in the past remain in close contact with their exchange students today or have gone on to pursue careers in German or in international affairs.