Philadelphia, PA

The days in Philadelphia were marked by school visits and exchanges with non-governmental organizations. The William W. Bodine High School for International Affairs (BHS), founded in 1981 by the World Affairs Council (WAC), was one of the highlights. The WAC is a nationwide network of more than 90 nonpartisan organizations that promotes global awareness within local communities. In partnership with the WAC, Bodine High School encourages its roughly 500 students to participate in international seminars, political simulations, student exchange programs, study trips abroad, and public events.

The George Washington Carver High School of Engineering and Science (HSES) is an inclusive school with a focus on STEM education that prepares students for careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. HSES already runs successful, project-based international partnerships with institutions around the world. At both schools, the delegation from North Rhine-Westphalia had the opportunity to engage in discussions with students, exchange coordinators, and school leaders about the opportunities and challenges of international school partnerships.

The group also took part in a workshop with representatives from Launch of Philadelphia (Launch Philly), a nonprofit organization founded in 1986 that supports socially disadvantaged children, adolescents, and young adults in the region. In addition, the delegation met with the German Society of Pennsylvania to discuss how NGOs can serve as important intermediaries between schools and other educational institutions.

Bethlehem, PA

In Bethlehem, the NRW delegation visited Lehigh Valley Academy (LVA). A guided tour of the school, classroom visits, and conversations with leadership, faculty, and students revealed both commonalities and differences between LVA and schools in North Rhine-Westphalia. As a regional charter school, LVA is publicly funded but independently operated. This structure grants the school greater flexibility in terms of curriculum design and thematic focus, while also requiring additional responsibilities in finance, personnel, and facilities management.

At Liberty High School, the group met with representatives from the American Council on Germany (ACG) and the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) to discuss a potential administrative exchange program. The initiative aims to establish mutual visits between school administrators from the U.S. and Germany to foster professional learning and the exchange of best practices across school systems.

Easton, PA

In Easton, the group from Germany visited Lafayette College, which hosts more than 2,700 students from 44 U.S. states and 60 countries. Following an introduction to the American higher education system, the group gained deeper insights into undergraduate education at a U.S. liberal arts college.

“Build your future” is the motto of the Career Institute of Technology (CIT), which gave participants from NRW an in-depth look at its wide range of 18 vocational training programs. These include courses in fields such as auto body technology, electrical engineering, healthcare, early childhood education, marketing, and commerce. The fact that students at CIT can earn both state-recognized certifications and college credits makes a valuable contribution to educational equity—especially in light of the high cost of postsecondary education in the U.S.

Washington, D.C.

On the evening of September 25, 2024, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the German Embassy in Washington hosted a joint reception to celebrate German Unity Day, marking the official conclusion of the NRW-USA Year 2023/2024. Held at the residence of the German ambassador, the event showcased what NRW has to offer in both economic and sporting terms—alongside NRW.Global Business and Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund—before an audience of approximately 2,500 guests.

In addition to the reception, the delegation held a series of professional meetings in the U.S. capital. At the German Embassy, Michael Hasper (Director of Communications and Culture) emphasized the importance of German-American economic relations and the role of German heritage in the U.S., noting that about 44 million Americans have German ancestry. Many also have personal ties to Germany, often through connections with the U.S. Army.

The group also met with representatives of the Goethe-Institut Washington, D.C., where discussions focused on developing a new joint exchange program for schools.

The delegation’s final stop was the German International School Washington D.C. (GISW), a recognized German school abroad, where over 500 students are taught from kindergarten through 12th grade. Many of the teachers are placed through programs in North Rhine-Westphalia. GISW offers a broad range of STEM programming and participates in the “Authentic STEM Project” coordinated by the University of Siegen. In this program, 9th-grade students work in international solver teams with scientists, university students, teachers, and professionals from German and American companies to tackle substantial, real-world mathematical challenges.