Saint Bernard is excited to welcome another small group of German students to campus from October 12 – 24. There are two girls and two boys.

The German teens are coming to the United States to experience the American way of life first hand and explore the possibility of spending their senior year at St. Bernard at some point in 2020/21 or 2021/22.

This short-term program is designed to give younger German students an opportunity to “get their feet wet” during a twelve-day homestay/school shadowing program. They will get to know some of the teachers, make friends with many students, and learn about the American culture.

Likewise, American students and families can get to know a German student and invite one of them into their home without having to make a year-long commitment.

Host families are asked to treat their visiting student not so much as a guest, but as a member of the family. SBP officials encourage host parents and siblings to include their students in all family activities and assign the same chores to them as they do to their own children. The purpose of their visit is to experience everyday-life in an American family.

All students have had at least 4 years of English. They communicate fluently. They have full medical, dental, accidental, and private third party liability insurance with no co-pay or deductible. The parents in Germany continue to be fully liable for their children. Host parents will not be held liable.

The students have their own spending money. They will be expected to buy their own lunch at school, or they may pack a lunch before they leave for school, whichever is customary in their host family.

Officials ask that host families provide their visiting student with a room and regular meals. All other expenses are the German student’s responsibility. Parents are asked to encourage their children to be involved and spend much quality time with their visiting student.

The German students have been well prepared for their stay in the U.S., they know the rules and expectations, and they have been educated on some of the cultural differences.

Christian Youth Exchange, Inc. (CYE) has been a long-time partner in education of St. Bernard. More than 30 students have come to St. Bernard for their senior year under the auspices of CYE since 1996.

Having these German students on campus for the school year is in so many ways beneficial to them, but also to the St. Bernard student body, the faculty and the entire community. And having them attend St. Bernard is only possible because of the generosity and hospitality of those wonderful St. Bernard families who open up their homes and their hearts for these students. However, making a yearlong committment can be a bit scary at first, both to the average German 15 or 16-year-old youth, and to even the most loving and caring American family.

Students are Niklas Christmann (male, 14), Alexander Kanter (male, almost 14), Leona Köster (female, 15), and Leonie Rose (female, 15). Another German student, Maybrit Freudenberg (Erik’s younger sister) will also be at St. Bernard with these four, but has already been placed in a home.

For more information, contact Saint Bernard Prep.