For the past 27 years, City High has participated in the cross-cultural exchange between City high and two high schools in Germany. However, due to budget cuts in the ICCSD Foreign Language Department, the tradition will soon come to an end. Anna Lena, one of the five German students that came to City High school, is disappointed to see the program’s discontinuation.

“I don’t like that this was the last year of the GAPP. It was a really nice time and I wish that everyone got the choice to stay [here] for three weeks,” Lena said. “The GAPP is a win-win situation for both sides, because you learn more about new cultures and grow up at the same time. I liked everything. The people were so friendly and helpful that I felt at home on the first day. It was a nice experience and I can’t understand why the exchange would end.”

The German exchange students’ schools are located in Stadthagen and Bückeburg. Over 100 students apply for the chance to travel to Iowa City on the exchange. In its most recent year, City High experienced a decrease in the number of German students, while West High experienced an increase. Out of the 100 german students who applied, 15 were able to come over on the exchange. Five came to City High and the ten others went to West High School.

After spending two and a half weeks in Iowa City, the German students spent three days in Chicago. Adrian Bode, another one of the German exchange students, regarded the trip as a memorable life experience.

“My favorite thing was that I met new friends,” Bode said. “[They] made the three weeks [seem like] my favorite holiday ever.”

With the program coming to an end, students are hoping to stay in touch through the internet. The elimination of German courses at City High remains a concern for some students, but Victor Fesenmeyer ‘17 still feels fortunate to have participated in the GAPP program.

“Well, I would say that it would be nice to [have GAPP] again, because for the past three years we were expecting [it to end]. We got to do something the Iowa City High School German program was famous for,” Victor Fesenmeyer ‘17 said. “I believe I am very lucky to have been part of the GAPP program three times in my whole high school career.”