With the goal of further strengthening diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties between North Rhine-Westphalia and the United States, the NRW state government launched the NRW-USA Year in the summer of 2023 under the motto “A Perfect Match.” Supported by a social media campaign, the project reached more than four million people on both sides of the Atlantic, with numerous educational institutions in NRW actively participating.

Although the project officially concluded in October 2024, the exchange between NRW and the USA continues. To support schools interested in transatlantic projects or international student exchanges, we have compiled some key highlights and ideas.

“All Fake?” – A Creative Approach to Disinformation on Both Sides of the Atlantic

In spring 2024, the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with various partners, launched the “All Fake?” transatlantic student competition. Schools were invited to creatively engage with the topic of fake news and disinformation and present their findings in digital formats. More than 500 students from various types of schools took part in the competition.

One of them was Emily Lindemann from Bettina-von-Arnim-Gymnasium in Dormagen, who reflected on her experience: “During the competition, I learned to critically evaluate information—who published it, and what might be behind it? I was especially fascinated by how easily images and videos can be manipulated, and how to detect such deceptions. This experience showed me how important it is to question information rather than blindly accepting it as truth.”

More details on the winning schools and projects are available through Coding for Tomorrow, an educational initiative that also served as part of the competition jury.

Danielle Schlösser, a teacher at Marie-Curie-Gymnasium in Neuss, whose school won in the secondary school category, highlighted the competition’s importance: “I found the competition exciting and the topic crucial. Students encounter fake news daily and often struggle to navigate it. As a teacher, I see it as my responsibility to guide them. I also wanted to bring creative variety into my lessons while helping students develop skills in video production and digital content creation.” At the end of 2024, the winning group from Neuss traveled to Berlin for a unique experience—a reception at the U.S. Embassy. There, students gained insight into diplomatic work and engaged in discussions with Nathan Cooper, Deputy Counselor for Public Engagement, on current socio-political issues affecting young people on both sides of the Atlantic. These conversations reinforced a key message: international exchange shapes young lives. Beyond improving language skills, it builds confidence, enhances social competencies, and fosters open-mindedness.

Speaking of exchange, schools interested in hosting U.S. student teachers can apply for the Foreign Language Assistants Program through the Pedagogical Exchange Service (PAD) of the Conference of Ministers of Education.

Study Trip to Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.

In September 2024, representatives from the Ministry of Education, the Düsseldorf District Government, and school administrators from Cologne and Korschenbroich traveled to Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. to develop innovative exchange programs for students, teachers, and school administrators. Their visit included school tours and discussions with educational institutions, NGOs, and the German Embassy. One highlight was the Career Institute of Technology (CIT) in Easton, Pennsylvania, which offers a unique vocational education model under the motto “Build Your Future.” Students from surrounding areas attend CIT during their final three years of school, combining high school coursework with career-focused training in 18 different fields. This program not only equips students with state-recognized certifications for direct employment but also allows them to earn college credits, shortening their higher education path and reducing financial barriers—a crucial factor in the U.S. education system.

During the trip, new school partnerships were also formed, including one between Lessing-Gymnasium in Cologne and Lehigh Valley Academy (LVA) in Bethlehem, PA. LVA, a publicly funded but independent charter school, follows an inclusive, competency-based curriculum from elementary school through IB Diploma completion in grade 12. Andrea Meinecke, Principal of Lessing-Gymnasium in Cologne, emphasized the significance of school partnerships in fostering democratic values: “In a time when students increasingly encounter xenophobic attitudes and nationalism is on the rise in many countries, schools play a crucial role in helping young people develop into open-minded and tolerant individuals. International partnerships offer an invaluable opportunity to broaden perspectives, foster cultural understanding, and instill values like tolerance and global citizenship.”

For over 50 years, the Pedagogical Exchange Service (PAD) has supported German-American school partnerships through the German American Partnership Program (GAPP)

Students in Dialogue with Former U.S. Congress Members

In November 2024, the AmerikaHaus NRW e.V. hosted two former U.S. Congress members at Hölderlin Gymnasium in Cologne: Brenda Lawrence (Democrat, Michigan) and Bob Goodlatte (Republican, Virginia). Shortly after the U.S. presidential election, they discussed key political and societal issues, perspectives on Donald Trump’s second presidency, and the future of transatlantic relations. Despite differing party affiliations, both agreed on core principles: bipartisan cooperation is essential, and the U.S.-Germany partnership must be strengthened. They also emphasized that democracy relies on constructive debate and mutual respect, a value they demonstrated in their discussion with students.

Following the talk, students eagerly approached the speakers for personal questions and selfies. Viktoria Harbecke, Director of AmerikaHaus NRW e.V., highlighted the importance of such exchanges: “Personal encounters and direct conversations are powerful tools against prejudice. At a time when political divisions are deepening, and many nations are turning inward, we need platforms for constructive, cross-border dialogue. Through these experiences, students gain new perspectives, develop a deeper understanding of other cultures, and reflect on their own viewpoints.”

Visit of U.S. Consul General Preeti V. Shah at Rurtal School, Heinsberg

In January 2025, the NRW-USA Year came full circle with a visit from U.S. Consul General Preeti V. Shah to Rurtal School, a special needs school in Heinsberg. The school’s student newspaper, “hammer!”, won first place in the “All Fake?” competition with a project titled “Fast-Food Chain Takes Over Rurtal School.“ The students created a fake article, an awareness video, and posters, sparking discussions among their peers about media literacy and disinformation. One student, Dimitri, summed up his key takeaway: “I learned that I can’t believe everything I see.”

During the visit, students had the chance to interview Consul General Shah—entirely in English. Reflecting on the importance of international partnerships, Consul General Shah shared her personal experience: “As a former exchange student in Spain, I saw firsthand how transformative cultural exchange can be. Many of my friends studied abroad in the U.S., and those experiences created lifelong connections. Student exchanges between the U.S. and Germany help build lasting relationships and strengthen transatlantic ties. Especially in times of change, maintaining these connections is more important than ever.” The NRW Ministry of Education remains committed to supporting international exchange programs and fostering new school partnerships.

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Author: Barbara Richter, Ministry of School and Education NRW (with contributions from Jan Gerstenberger, Ministry of School and Education NRW; Andrea Meinecke, Lessing-Gymnasium Cologne; and AmerikaHaus NRW e.V.)

Article excerpt from SCHULE NRW / Amtsblatt 02/25