Today is the first of a 14-day study tour to Germany with the Goethe Institut/Transatlantic Outreach Program.  The purpose of this program is:

1. to provide teachers with an international perspective

2.  to encourage cross-cultural dialogue and promote the study of the German language

3. to paint a picture of Germany by providing information on its culture, society and politics.

What better way to achieve these objectives than to send teachers to Germany!

After flying  from the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport to Dallas to Washington D.C., I was welcomed at the Goethe Institut in D.C. by TOP Coordinators, Wood Powell and Sarah Yabroff, among 15 other travelers like myself!  Teachers who will be accompanying me are from various parts of the country (Virginia, Minnesota, Florida, even Alaska, just to name a few).  One of the girls I met said she had never met anyone from Arkansas.  Interesting!  This looks like it’s going to be a great group and a great time.

On Saturday we start the day with a presentation from the Goethe Institut, and then our flight departs for Germany @ 4:00 p.m. (Eastern).  We arrive in Germany at 7:40 Sunday morning on the day Germany plays England in the World Cup.  Should be an exciting day!

Until Germany,

Tschuss!   (bye!)