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Sister City Gotha Germany

Gotha 2010 Trip Update:

10 students and 2 chaperones traveled to our Sister City in Gotha, Germany June 13-26th. The German Language and Culture Foundation of Charlotte awarded travel scholarships worth $4,400 to five Forestview High School students: Victoria Adams, Shanta Clinton, Morgan Mathieu, Katie Moore and Brandon Taylor. This is the first time that students who were part of a German Language class in school were given the opportunity to fulfill their dreams of studying the language and culture they study in school first hand. Without these scholarships many of these students would not have been able to participate in such an amazing adventure.

Students from South Point High School included: , Mitchell Bryon, Christina Dalamangas, Ash Davis, Sarah Lawing, and Kyrie Watson.

The students spent time with their host students and traveled to historic points in the area including a concentration camp and other local cities. The group also traveled to Dresden, Germany where they were able to explore the area on foot!

About Gotha

• Located in the middle of Germany, in the "state" of Thuringia
• Town noted for:
  • science and learning
  • handicrafts and commerce
  • home to the first fire insurance company
  • first commercial college in Germany
• Town hall dates to 1572
• Market square dates from 1666
• Friedenstein Palace:
  • overlooks the City
  • now serves as a museum
  • 17th century building
  • 2000 windows adorn the palace
  • slate roof
• Leina canal, built in 1369, brought drinking water into the town from nearby mountains.
• The Museum of Natural History, built in 1879, is located across the plaza from the palace.

Gotha - Germany Exchange

Each year a very select group of high school students embark on a trip of a lifetime.  They attend German language classes at night during the school year in preparation for a trip to Gotha, Germany during the summer.  They learn the German language, culture and history. 

This is one of the most successful programs offered by Gastonia Sister Cities.  Student exchanges have been offered yearly since 1995-96 when 50 students visited Gotha for the first exchange.  Now many of the original students have made German a part of their careers and continue their friendship that were made so many years ago.  Three german language students have chosen to continue their German exchange by becoming Rotary exchange students.

“The friends you make on this trip are friends you’ll keep forever!” – Angel Freeze, Ashbrook graudate 2009, 2nd time traveling to Gotha with Sister Cities

“It was the best experience to date.” Hunter Erbach, Forestview High School, 11th grade

“Doing the exchange changed my life. I met amazing people, made new friends, and saw things that were absolutely incredible.” Catherine Cobb – Forestview graduate 2009

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