German Exchange Award - NWSE

German Exchange Award

NorthWest Student Exchange (NWSE) offers three Student Exchange Awards (“scholarships”) to qualified U.S. high school students of German. Award winners are flown to Germany, Switzerland or Austria for a semester or school year in 2024-2025 to be immersed in German language, local life, and culture. Award winners live with a carefully selected host family and attend their host family’s local public high school/Gymnasium. Award winners participate in after-school activities to make friends, increase language skills, and experience local German-speaking and European culture. Each Award winner’s own family (or a family nominated by them) reciprocally hosts an NWSE exchange student in the United States.

NWSE German Exchange Award

Included in NWSE’s German Exchange Award

  • Room and board with a carefully selected volunteer host family in a German-speaking country
  • Flights to and from the main airport closest to the exchange destination
  • International health/accident insurance
  • Supervision by an NWSE coordinator
  • Enrollment in a public high school (e.g. Gymnasium or Gesamtschule)
  • Pre-departure and post-arrival orientations
  • Advising throughout the application process and program
  • NWSE Certificate of Participation upon successful program completion

Minimum Requirements

  • Current enrollment at an accredited U.S. high school
  • Candidate’s family (or a local family, nominated by the candidate) must reciprocally host an NWSE exchange student
  • Candidate’s local public high school must host the reciprocal NWSE exchange student
  • Be between the ages of 15 and 18 at the start of the program
  • Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (out of 4.0)
  • Currently be studying German with successful completion of one year by the start of the program
  • Motivation, personality, grades, and adaptability
  • Strong recommendations from your German teacher and other teachers

Not Included in the German Exchange Award

  • Passport fees and other related travel expenses
  • Fee for local Residence Permit abroad (if applicable)
  • German language lessons while abroad, if needed
  • School supplies, fees, etc.
  • School lunches (if you do not bring lunch from home)
  • Personal expenses, including public transportation, spending money, etc.

Deadlines and Timeline

Currently accepting applications.

Register Online to Get Started!

NWSE Exchange Award Registration

“I would recommend NWSE, because the coordinators and the staff in the headquarter put a lot of effort into providing the best care and support for exchange students during their…

Philipp from Germany

“My exchange has been great. I love my family so much.”

Mariana from Brazil

“What I love the most about my exchange in America is my host family. I will definitely come back to America to see them and all my friends. The food, school,…

Sol from Spain

“I think the greatest reward I got from my exchange was not only the better English skills but also every experience and lesson I had learned. It changed myself and…

Nawaporn from Thailand
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