The town square of Wiedenbruck, Germany
By Jaida Forde
Staff Writer | The Pacific Times
NP3 will be participating in another foreign exchange program to Germany during the 2026-27 school year to give students an opportunity to learn about other cultures through travel.
An informational meeting for the 2026-27 school year German Exchange Program was led by Principal Melissa Mori at Back-to-School Night in August.
“After the successful exchange during the 2024-25 school year, NP3 is holding another one during the 2026-27 school year,” said Mori.
Similarly to the 2024-25 exchange program, 10-12 families will host German exchange students in October 2026 and NP3 students will travel to Germany in March 2027.
The opportunity to participate was available to students who will be entering 10th, 11th and 12th grades in August 2026. Interested families filled out the online application in the Captain’s Log, a Natomas Unified School District volunteer application, and submitted additional required documents to Mori.
Interested students also had to submit information that told the German exchange students a little bit about them. Families that were selected were notified in November.
Last year, criminal law teacher Staci Osborn and art teacher Heather Higgins provided a living space for the German teachers who came with the exchange students. Osborn and Higgins also accompanied the NP3 students to Germany.
Higgins described the experience as “a way to learn about new perspectives and culture. In addition, it is a perfect opportunity to meet new people and make long-lasting friendships while growing as people.”
Osborn said her favorite part was “watching the German and American students experience new things together.”
Higgins said she “enjoyed visiting the villages, seeing a professional soccer game, and seeing how Germany and America are similar and different.”
For families participating, Osborn said “staying open-minded is key.”
“We encourage learning some German beforehand to better understand what is going on around you,” she added.
Quinn Schoech, now a junior who participated in the exchange program last year, had a similar experience.
“It was scary, but also worth it because I was able to get out of my comfort zone and meet new people,” Schoech said. “My favorite part was going to school in Germany! I also enjoyed exploring Berlin, Paderborn, Dortmund, Hamburg, and more.”
“I hope that I get picked, I want to experience a new culture and meet new people,” Emma Vollmer, a current sophomore who is applying for next year’s exchange, said.
Sophomore Emma Vollmer and current junior Rose Buffleben say they are “excited to find out who their exchange students are and to go to Germany.”
“I am excited to have another exchange student in the house and be a part of the exchange program like my sister Colby was last year,” Kylie Durham, a current freshman added.
Exchange students reunite during the 2024-2025 exchange
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