San Marcos High School Student Awarded Study Trip To Germany

The study trip includes round?trip air transportation to Germany from New York, a homestay in a host family, and excursions to places of cultural and historical significance.

A student at San Marcos High School has been awarded an all?expense?paid summer study trip to Germany.

Benjamin Murdoch was selected as a national winner after scoring in the 98th percentile on the Level 2 2017 National German Exam for High School Students sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of German (AATG).

Over 20,000 students participated in the program. After qualifying with a high score on the National German Exam, he submitted responses to several short essay questions in German and in English and was then interviewed by a committee comprised of high school teachers and college professors of German.

Benjamin is one of forty?four outstanding German students selected from across the US to receive the award.

The study trip includes round?trip air transportation to Germany from New York, a homestay in a host family, and excursions to places of cultural and historical significance.

The study trip, now in its 57^th year, is made possible through a grant from the Federal Republic of Germany.

“This year’s prize winners are some of the finest students in the US,” said Keith Cothrun, Executive Director of the AATG. “The prize is a great reward for excellence in learning German—and the best way to better get to know a fascinating language and culture through firsthand experiences living with a German family and attending school.”

Benjamin and the other winners will travel to Germany this summer. He is a student of Mindy Foster, German teacher at San Marcos High School. 

She is very proud of Benjamin’s achievements and is excited for him.

Founded in 1926, the AATG represents German teachers at all levels of instruction. The AATG is dedicated to the advancement and improvement of the teaching of language, literature and culture of the German?speaking countries.