How the program works

Oak Hills students may apply to take part in the Oak Hills Dingolfing Exchange Program at the end of their freshman, sophomore, or junior year. 20 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 City Hall, the Carew Tower observation deck, Great American Ball Park, the Cincinnati Museum Center, the University of Cincinnati, and various other attractions. Midway through the trip, they also enjoy a three-day side trip to an out-of-town destination (normally Chicago).

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 factory. 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.