CETUSA in Heppenheim!

Last week DFSR was a busy hub of trip planning, dinners and new friendships. On Sunday, we welcomed 74 student coordinators, managers and guests from our American partner agency CETUSA to our town of Heppenheim. The trip to Germany gave the coordinators a chance to explore Germany, meet the DFSR staff, and most importantly, meet up with their former exchange students from Europe. We had a busy week planned for the coordinators, and here's a peak at their time in Germany.

Arrival dinner at DFSR

Coordinators met with the CETUSA American scholarship winners

DFSR and CETUSA staff chat in the keller

A cozy evening in the keller

On Monday, about 30 Americans participated in German lessons in the morning where they not only learned the basic "hallo" and "Auf Wiedersehen" but also got a taste of German history from the DFSR history teacher. Later in the day, we took two coach buses to Heidelberg, where the coordinators had a few hours to explore the castle, shop on one of the longest pedestrian streets in Germany, and taste test kuchen and beer at the many cafes.

German Lessons

 

Exploring Heidelberg

Heidelberg Castle in the mist

After another morning of lessons on Tuesday, one of our DFSR staff members took about 50 coordinators to her hometown of Frankfurt, where they received a wonderful tour of the famous city. Others remained in Heppenheim and accompanied some DFSR staff on a walk through Heppenheim's beautiful vineyards.


On Wednesday, coordinators had the option of taking a day trip to Luxembourg City, Luxembourg or to Strasbourg, France where guided tours where provided. Many travelers then ventured off to Paris for the night.

CETUSA exploring Luxembourg

Guided tour through the streets of Luxembourg

On Friday, we had a farewell party for all DFSR and CETUSA staff here at DFSR. For dinner, everyone indulged in a traditional German feast of bratwurst, potato salad and German breads. Bavarian felt hats and a folk band added to the ambiance and completed the evening.

International Dinner: What's cooking?

On Friday evening, our seven inbound students decided to have an "international dinner" and cook for each other. After shopping at the local supermarket, each student prepared a dish from their home country and shared a bit of their culture with the other students.

The students are staying here at the DFSR residence in Heppenheim, Germany for two weeks while attending German language orientation and getting acquainted with life abroad. They will meet their host families at the end of this week before starting high school in Germany next week. We have captured some photos from their international dinner along with the recipes to share with you! Guten apetit!

Our Canadian students shared traditional Sheppard's Pie from Quebec. Here's how they made it:

Ingredients:
Ground Beef
Corn
Mashed Potatoes
Cream
Ketchup as a condiment

Directions:
1.Cook the ground beef in a skillet until it is browned.
2. At the same time, boil and mash potatoes, add the cream as you mash.
3. Place the items in a baking dish in the following order: Ground beef, corn, mashed potatoes.
4. Cook the dish at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes.
5. Eat with ketchup, and enjoy!

More recipes to come...

Shopping at the supermarket!

Girls getting ready for the dinner!

Getting ready together!

Cooking Sheppard's Pie!

Cooking in the kitchen! Students work together to create a delicious array of foods.

Student's enjoying their homemade dinner.