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The city of Dayton, Ohio, is renowned for its rich aviation history, as told by the Air Force Museum, and its long-standing partnership with the city of Augsburg, Germany. This partnership, initiated in 1956 by President Eisenhower's "People to People" program, has fostered a unique student exchange program between the Jakob-Fugger-Gymnasium in Augsburg and Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School in Dayton.
Jeffrey J. Mims, Jr., the newly elected mayor of Dayton, has been a strong advocate for this cultural exchange. Before embarking on his political career, Mims served as an educator for 38 years. His tenure included positions such as the chair of the Education Committee, a member of the State of Ohio's Board of Education, and the chair of the Teachers' Association.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the student exchange program was a thriving initiative. Students from both schools traveled to their partner country for about two to three weeks, living with host families, attending classes, participating in school and community events, and exploring local cultural and historical sites. The goal was to deepen cross-cultural understanding and improve language skills—German for the U.S. students, and English for the German students.
However, the pandemic brought the program to a halt. Starting in early 2020, international travel restrictions, school closures, and safety concerns led to the suspension of the exchange. Despite these challenges, efforts were made to maintain connections, with virtual exchanges, online meetups, or collaborative projects.
As the world begins to open up, the student exchange program is set to resume. By 2023-2024, many exchange programs like this have begun to resume in-person activities, following health guidelines and protocols. Some programs have even introduced hybrid formats combining virtual and physical meetings to accommodate varying student comfort levels or travel restrictions.
The resumption of the Dayton-Augsburg student exchange program was marked by the visit of a delegation from Dayton to Augsburg from August 5 to 9, 2024, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the twinning. The visit included activities such as the Peace Festival, a bike tour to the historic waterworks Hochablass, and a climb up the gas tank.
The Jakob Fugger Gymnasium hosted 18 students and two teachers from Dayton from June 14 to 21. A total of 37 handwritten letters containing personal accounts of the daily school and private lives of American students from Dayton arrived at the Augsburg partner school.
The positive response and willingness of all participants indicate a strong interest in mutual learning on both American and German sides. Mayor Nan Whaley of Dayton visited Augsburg in May 2021 to celebrate 50 years of city partnership with Augsburg.
For the most precise, updated status—such as upcoming dates or changes to the program—it would be best to consult directly with Jakob-Fugger-Gymnasium Augsburg or Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School as information tends to be school-specific and corridor to corridor. The almost-extinct art of letter writing was found to have its own charm and fun for the students, adding a personal touch to this cross-cultural exchange.
Engaging in a renewed student exchange program, the students from Jakob-Fugger-Gymnasium in Augsburg and Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School in Dayton will not only enhance their lifestyle but also explore new home-and-garden landscapes and travel to unfamiliar destinations. The revived exchange, expected to resume by 2023-2024, will offer participants the opportunity to immerse themselves in diverse cultures and broaden their language skills.
