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Final Preparation Meeting. German Exchange 2014. Forms Checklist. Teacher sign-off field trip form Release and agreement (notarized) Medical information Medical authorization (notarized ) Permission to travel ( notarized ) Rules and code of conduct *
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Final Preparation Meeting German Exchange 2014
Forms Checklist • Teacher sign-off field trip form • Release and agreement (notarized) • Medical information • Medical authorization (notarized) • Permission to travel (notarized) • Rules and code of conduct* • Drug, tobacco and alcohol awareness form * • Social media and photography*
Rules and Code of Conduct 1. The studentwill attend school and field trips as specified by the teachers. 2. Mature, courteous, thoughtful behavior and conduct of highest quality is expected at all times. 3. The student is expected to obey all rules, time schedules, and safety precautions established by the teachers during the travel and group activities. 4. The student agrees not to obtain any piercings, tattoos, etc. during the exchange. 6. The student will regard alcohol and its use according to his/her parents’ wishes. Use in public will be considered as unacceptable behavior and will result in immediate notification of the parents and possible return to the United States at the expense of his/her parents. See separate alcohol responsibility use form. 7. The student is not allowed to drive a car or other motorized vehicle in Germany. Any driving will be considered as the illegal operating of a motor vehicle and will be reported to the local authorities. 8. Use, purchase, or possession of drugs or illegal substances will result in the participant’s immediate return to the United States at the expense of his/her parents. In the case of arrest, the student becomes the total responsibility of his/her parents.
Drugs, Tobacco, & Alcohol • Student purchase or use of alcohol or tobacco while under teacher supervision, during school activities, on field trips, during the teacher-led hotel stay portion of the exchange isabsolutely forbidden. • When students are with their host families, it may be considered “normal” for them to drink beer or wine with their host family. It is not “normal” and is absolutely forbidden for a student to become intoxicated at any time during the exchange, including when with their host families. • The decision to allow or not allow alcohol consumption to students 16 or older during host family time is entirely yours and is between you, your child, and the host family. Your wishes will be communicated via this form to your child’s host family in Germany and they will be asked to respect your wishes. It is understood that the abuse of alcohol will result in disciplinary action, including a possible return to the United States at the participant’s expense.
Drugs, Tobacco, & Alcohol _____ My son/daughter is over 16 and HAS my permission to partake in the limited use of wine and beer in the presence of his/her host family. _____ My son/daughter is not over 16 and/or DOES NOT have permission to partake in the use of alcohol while in Germany.
Social Media and Photography • Do not photograph, share or tag a picture of a teacher/chaperone without his/her express permission. • Do not photograph or share pictures of students in inappropriate situations or in situations that, out of context, could be perceived as inappropriate. • Use your best judgment when sharing of any pictures and social media posting.
Staying in touch • Please try to minimize contact from/to home. • If you have a phone with global features, be very careful about roaming and data charges. Stick to WiFi! • Contacting the chaperones: • Please email for non-emergencies. • Text if semi-urgent (include your name). • In an urgent situation, call one of our cells or our host family’s home number.
Spending Money • It’s not too late to purchase some Euros here – check with your bank. • You can take USD and exchange them at a bank in Germany – you would pay an exchange fee and would get the current exchange rate, whatever it is. • You can take a normal credit card or ATM debit card. Check with your bank if it will work in Germany.
Spending Money • Let your bank know that you will be in Germany and the dates. • Make sure your PIN and/or debit card works here before you go if it’s a new card. • When we are in Germany, if your card doesn’t work on the first try, don’t try more than twice – the ATM may eat your card! • Emergency spending money can be arranged if needed by depositing it at the KTFCU.
General Packing Tips • Pack light! • You’ll be able to wash some things when you get to your host family • Plan on wearing things 2-3 times (unless dirty) • Take a few mix-and-matchable outfits • The layered look (das Zwiebellook) adds flexibility • T-shirt, light sweater, light jacket, etc. • Keep an eye on the weather in Germany the week before we go.
General Packing Tips • Use the packing list as guide • Consider not taking a carry-on bag, but packing a duffle bag for the return. • You MUST be able to carry your own luggage! • 23 kg / 50 pounds max – over and you pay $$$ or have to discard items on the spot. • You’ll probably buy a couple things there – save space in your bag!
You only need a plug adapter for most phone, iPod, and computer charges, etc. Check the small print or look for a switch that says “110 – 240” meaning that the device is good for 110 through 240 volts. If you can’t find the 110 – 240 you probably need a converter too. Converters are usually larger and weigh more. Consider figuring out a way to live without this item. Converter or adapter?
Carry-on Luggage Tips • The point of carry-on is not to be able to take MORE STUFF – it’s for the few things you need while traveling, fragile items, or any heavier items. • You are allowed one carry-on that meets the size limitations and one personal item (small purse, bag, etc.) that can go under your seat.
Carry-on Tips • Your carry-on could be something practical, like a small back pack that you will use on field trips and around Berlin. • We will be en route for many hours… bring reading material, puzzles, games, cards, snacks, etc. • Bring your own headset to plug into the plane’s sound system (movies, TV, music, etc.)
Carry-on Tips • Bring your charger for our layover in the airport. • Any liquids in your carry-on luggage must follow the 3:1:1 rule • Three ounces or less • One person • One clear, quart-size zip lock bag • Liquids over that size go in your suitcase that gets checked.
Going through security • Have your passport and ticket ready. • Shoes, belts, jackets, carry-on – everything goes on the belt through the machine. Don’t chose this day to where your new pants with 999 rivets… • NO JOKING AROUND & NO PHOTOS. • Walk through the metal detector and collect your belongings on the other side. Wait for the group there.
Passport / ID • Bring an ID with you other than your passport. • You’ll need your passport when we check in and when we go through customs and immigration. • You should always carry a form of picture ID with you when in Germany. • Keep your passport safe!
Passport control, Customs & Immigration • When arriving in the European Union, and then again when returning to the U.S., there are always two steps: • Passport control – where they check and stamp your passport. • Customs – where they check what you are importing/exporting etc.
Passport control, Customs & Immigration • Notes regarding customs: • When you return to the U.S., you are allowed up to $400 in merchandise. It is your responsibility to provide receipts if asked. If you purchase any expensive items such as watches, jewelry, electronics, etc., BE SURE TO SAVE YOUR RECEIPTS and have them with you on the flight! • If you take an expensive camera, a computer, iPad, etc. with you from home – take your receipt with you if you have one. If asked, it’s your responsibility to prove that you did not purchase it in Germany.
Host Family Gifts • See the previously sent list for more ideas. • Something “Buffalo” • Something fun • Something you can do with/for them: • chocolate chip cookies • pancakes and maple syrup • Picture books • At about the half-way point, be sure to get a little something nice for your hosts!
Other things to take … • Take lots of pictures with you! Pictures are a great conversation starter! For example: • Pictures of your family, family events, holidays • Pictures of your pets • Pictures of your home, yard, neighborhood • Pictures of Kenmore, Tonawanda, Buffalo or other places you have been.
Departure/Travelling • Get your sleep the night before! • Dress comfortably for the trip. • That doesn’t mean pajama pants, old sweats, etc. • Meet near the United counter at the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport at 9:00 a.m. • We have a 3 hour layover in Newark and then fly to Düsseldorf, arriving at 6:05 a.m. Saturday (midnight Buffalo time). Bring something to do!
Travelling/Arrival • Our flight to Düsseldorf is about 7.5 hours. Try to get a few hours of sleep in! You’ll only have a few hours of darkness, since we’re flying towards the sunrise and losing 6 hours. • Consider bringing a small travel/neck pillow. • Our host families will pick us up at the airport in Düsseldorf and you’ll head off with them for the weekend! We’ll see each other in school Monday morning.
Travel to Berlin • We have a bus scheduled to pick our group up in Zülpichand to take us directly to the youth hostel in Berlin. • Once in Berlin we will walk and use the subway. A bus will take us to the airport when we leave. • Bring your own bath towel for the youth hostel!
Berlin – Wednesday night • PotsdamerPlatz • Reichstag • Holocaust Memorial • Under den Linden
Berlin – Thursday • Checkpoint CharlieMuseum • Curry 36 • Alexanderplatz • Nikolaiviertel • rotes Rathaus • Berliner Dom
Berlin – Thursday • HackescheHöfe • Zoo Station • Ku’damm • Kaiser Wilhelm-Gedächtnis-Kirche • KaDeWe
Berlin – Friday • Reichstagskuppel (glass dome) • Optional: Sachsenhausen or city walking tour.
Youth hostel rooming • Groups of 5 (3+2) sharing a suite • Girls 3 x 3 and 2 x 2 • Boys 3 x 3 and 3 x 2 • Get your groupings together and sign up after the meeting.
