Program Dates for the International Student Exchange to Germany:

Application deadlines for the International Student Exchange to Germany each year are:
September (5 or 10 month) – May 28
January – October 1

Information about the Student Exchange to Germany:

While on an International Exchange Program students have the opportunity to learn at an international school and the "school of life" while they experience another culture, immerse themselves in the language and become a member of the host family.  Begin your international experience now! Participate in an International Exchange program with YES Canada!

Information for the International Student Exchange to Germany:
Education in Germany is determined by the individual federal states. Primary education follows Kindergarten, and it is compulsory for all students to complete nine years of public education.

Primary education is the initial four years of school. This is followed by secondary education, where students have four stream options to pursue their academics, based on their own abilities and their teacher’s recommendations. Gymnasium is for gifted students, preparing students for their university career. Attendance is 8 to 9 years. Realschule is for intermediate students, with a six year time commitment. Hauptschule prepares students for a vocational education. Gesamtschule is a combination of all three approaches to study.

There are approximatelyv12 compulsory subjects (depending on the school district): two or three foreign languages, physics, biology, chemistry, civics/social studies, math, music, art, history, German, geography, physical education and religious studies/ethics. These courses are taken throughout a students academic career, differing in length depending on focus. An average week is 30 to 40 periods, averaging 45 minutes in length per week. In senior grades, classes often stretch to 90 minute blocks of time.

Semi-scholastic courses are also offered (Arbeitsgemeinschaften – meaning working groups) that consist of non-graded extra-curricular activities. These consist of groups such as choir, orchestra, sports teams, drama or other private groups.

Nearly all German universities are public institutions. Entry to university depends on the success of an examination called the Abitur exam, usually taken by students in the Gymnasium study stream around the age of 18 or 19.

Germany is a historical treasure, full of important places and names in art, literature and music. Education is an important aspect of the culture. Students work hard and play hard, and the balance is a great way to learn by living.

School System

Responsibility for educational oversight in Germany lies primarily with the federal states individually. Optional kindergarten education is provided for all children between three and six years old, after which school attendance is compulsory for at least nine years.

Primary education usually lasts for four years and public schools are not stratified at this stage.[103] In contrast, secondary education includes four types of schools based on a pupil's ability as determined by teacher recommendations: the Gymnasium enrols the most gifted children and prepares students for university studies, and attendance lasts eight or nine years depending on the state; the Realschule has a broader range of emphasis for intermediate students and lasts six years; the Hauptschule prepares pupils for vocational education, and the Gesamtschule or comprehensive school combines the three approaches.

A special system of apprenticeship called Duale Ausbildung ("dual education") allows pupils in vocational training to learn in a company as well as in a state-run vocational school.[103]

To enter a university in Germany, high school students are generally required to take the Abitur examination, which is similar to A-levels in the UK and typically done in the Gymnasium at the age of 18 or 19. However, students possessing a diploma from a vocational school may also apply for matriculation in certain subjects. Nearly all German universities are public (i.e. non-private) institutions, charging tuition fees ranging from €50–500 per semester for each student.

The school year starts after the summer break (different from state to state, usually end/mid of August) and is divided into two terms. There are typically 12 weeks of holidays in addition to public holidays. Exact dates differ between states, but there are generally 6 weeks of summer and two weeks of Christmas holiday. The other holiday periods are given in spring (usually around Easter Sunday) and autumn (the former "harvest holiday", where farmers used to need their children for field work). Schools can also schedule two or three special days off per term.

Students have about 30-40 periods of 45 minutes each per week, but especially secondary schools today switch to 90 minutes lessons (Block) which count as two 'traditional' lessons. To manage classes that are taught three lessons per week there is still one 45 minute lesson each day, mostly between the first two blocks. There are about 12 compulsory subjects: two or three foreign languages (one to be taken for 9 years, another for at least 3 years), physics, biology, chemistry and usually civics/social studies (for at least 5, 7, 3, and 2 years, respectively), and mathematics, music, art, history, German, geography, PE and religious education/ethics for 9 years.

In grades 11-13, 11-12, or 12-13 (depending on the school system), each student majors in two or three subjects ("Leistungskurse", "Grundkurse"/"Profilkurse"). These are usually taught five hours per week. The other subjects are usually taught three periods per week. A few afternoon activities are offered at German schools - mainly choir or orchestra, sometimes sports, drama or languages. Many of these are offered as semi-scholastic AG's (Arbeitsgemeinschaften - literally "working groups"), which are mentioned, but not officially graded in students' report cards. Other common extracurricular activities are organized as private clubs, which are very popular in Germany.

Participate in the International Student Exchange to Germany!