Waukee CSD Welcomes German Students
A group of 44 students and six teachers from Germany participated in an exchange program at Waukee CSD and explored central Iowa, including a visit to the capitol.
Waukee Community School District is hosting 44 students and six teachers from Germany for a two-week exchange program.
Since Oct. 8, the students have been living with local host families and shadowing Waukee CSD students who are enrolled in German classes at Waukee High School, Northwest High School, Timberline School, and Prairieview School.
Eric Koeppel, a German teacher at Northwest High School, explains that the students are “fully integrated” in the Waukee CSD student experience. They attend classes with their host students as well as advisories with their German teachers.
“It’s been great to have the visiting students in our German classes. The American students ask the German students to read over their work, and they help each other. It’s also good for our students to hear authentic German from other people, not just me,” Koeppel says.
For the German students, the program is not only an opportunity to practice their English — they also get firsthand experience of American high school life.
“The difference in the school systems is very interesting to our students,” explains Melanie Bauhaus, one of the accompanying teachers from Germany. “We have a much smaller school, while these schools are gigantic and beautiful — our students are very impressed! It’s also interesting to see the different ways that students are learning. Here, things are more digital; we’re just starting that in Germany.”
The visiting group was recognized during the Northwest High School football game on Oct. 18.
In addition to their classes, the group enjoyed field trips to Living History Farms and the state capitol, where they met with senators and explored the grounds. They also got a taste of Iowan culture through a potluck, a tailgate party, and football games at both high schools.
“The tailgate and football game were a great experience for the students, because that’s something they don’t have in Germany,” Koeppel says.
The exchange program began in 2001, when a teacher from the German school sought an opportunity for her students to connect with peers in the U.S. — and Waukee CSD was the only school district to respond.
What started as pen pals and letter-writing expanded to international visits. Now Waukee CSD participates in an exchange every two years with schools in the cities of Wetter and Dortmund. This past summer, a group of Waukee students and teachers traveled to Germany, and now they’re welcoming their German counterparts in return.
“It’s been a very unique program, and we’re excited about the developments,” says Bauhaus. “In today’s world, this is a wonderful opportunity for the students to see we’re not that different and get to know each other a little bit better.”
“I think it’s a great experience — not only for our kids who are hosting, but for the whole school,” Koeppel adds.
German student Lena (left) with her host, Hannah.
Northwest High School student Hannah, who went on the summer trip, is excited to be hosting Lena, one of the German students. “We’ve become best friends,” Hannah says.
In their free time, the Waukee CSD host students and their families are showing their German guests all the local sites. Hannah took Lena to the Jordan Creek Mall, Center Grove Orchard, Crumbl Cookies, Raising Cane’s, and more.
“I really don’t want to leave. I will be so sad!” Lena says. “I love Hannah, she’s like my other side. I had the best time here.”
Hannah agrees. “I want to go back [to Germany] to visit Lena as soon as I can. I think this will be a lifelong friendship.”
As this year’s exchange comes to a close and the German group prepares to leave, Waukee CSD is already looking forward to the next exchange — and celebrating the program’s 25th anniversary — in 2026.
