To qualify for the Sister School Exchange Program, Lakeshore students must submit a completed application by March 16, 2023. A committee of teachers, administrators, and community leaders will then carefully review student applications, noting the unique value each applicant would bring to SSEP. 

 

Ultimately the selection process is guided by a myriad of factors: the applicant's character and reputation, leadership experience, sincere interest in other cultures, and overall academic performance. The applicant's compatibility with participating students from Gesamtschule Hardt will also influence the outcome of the selection process.  Finally, the selection committee will consider the applicant's ability to provide suitable housing and an enriching experience for his/her German guest. Sometimes a Lakeshore participant is unable to host his German partner in his own home. In such cases, the program coordinators will depend on additional Lakeshore families that are interested in hosting a German guest. Families interested in serving as hosts should submit a completed application for consideration.   

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Program fees/expenses average roughly $1800-$2200 per student, a total that includes travel expenses as well as a trip extension to another European city following their two week stay in Mönchengladbach. SSEP participants are STRONGLY encouraged to apply for a scholarship.  Generous donors in the Lakeshore community have created a sizable scholarship fund to ensure that ANY applicant, regardless of his/her financial circumstances, can participate in SSEP if he/she is selected by the committee.