Requirements for Student Participants

• demonstrate the character, leadership, respect, compassion, and openness that are essential for the success of our reciprocal exchange program 

• attend all program meetings 

• maintain current academic performance in courses throughout the year*

• comply with school rules (no behavioral concerns) throughout the year

• submit program payments and required paperwork on time

• participate actively in program activities during hosting and travel experiences

• secure a passport by October 2023

• communicate frequently and promptly with program leaders and German partners throughout the planning and implementation process

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Requirements for Host Families

We often need additional host families to accommodate our German guests. Sometimes a Lakeshore student is unable to host his partner in his own home for a variety of reasons. In these cases, the program coordinator relies on additional Lakeshore families that are willing to host but do not have a Lakeshore student who is available to travel to Germany in the Spring 2023. ​

• provide safe, comfortable, clean accommodations 

• provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals (school lunches can be purchased by opening a separate account for your German guest)

• provide transportation to/from school and SSEP events

• provide a separate bed (not a cot/air mattress) for your guest; a separate bedroom is required if the Lakeshore student is hosting a guest who is not the same gender**

• include your German guest in family activities; coordinate experiences in the evening and on the weekends that introduce him/her to the sites, community and culture of Southwest Michigan

• attend program meetings for host families (typically 2 meetings in the month preceding the arrival of our German guests)

• submit payment for the few SSEP activities planned during our guests' stay.***

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More information can be found on our FAQ page.  

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*The SSEP experience will require students to miss some classes in the Fall while hosting our guests and a few days of school in the Spring while they are in Germany. For this reason, participants need to manage their time well, work ahead in classes whenever possible, and work closely with their teachers.

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**It is exceptionally rare that a Lakeshore student will be matched with a German guest who is not the same gender.

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***During the hosting experience, SSEP typically coordinates a day trip to Chicago, a day of team building at Five Pines, and a farewell dinner for program participants. Many of these activities are funded, in part, by grants. However, host families typically pay $60-70 total for their German guest to participate in these activities.