Jahleel Johnson (2017-2018 alum), is currently one of 91 participants in the International Parliamentary Scholarship (IPS) Program of the German Bundestag, where he is learning about democratic values, German history and governance, and how to build connections between nations. His ultimate goal is to become a diplomat and continue fostering ties between the U.S. and Germany.
1. What first sparked your interest in studying German in high school?
The funny thing is, I never intended to study German. French was my first choice, but the French teacher at my high school retired, so I ended up taking German instead. I was really disappointed at first, but I ended up having a great time learning German with my teacher, Arthur Lader. He encouraged me not just to learn the language but to actually use it, which made all the difference. What I learned from this is that things happen for a reason, and I'm grateful for that.
2. Can you tell us when you participated in a GAPP exchange and what motivated you to apply?
I participated in GAPP in 2017–2018. My German teacher shared that a group of exchange students from Munich was coming to Aiken, SC. Naturally, I was interested. After some convincing, my parents agreed to host a student. Through my guest brother, I learned so much about Germany and its culture. That experience motivated me to continue with the program and visit Munich for three weeks in 2018. It was an unforgettable experience—and GAPP is the reason I stuck with German.
3. How long did you stay at Nymphenburger Schulen Gymnasium Realschule during your exchange, and what do you remember most about those weeks?
I stayed at the school for three weeks. I remember how great the food was and how kind the students were. They were genuinely interested in meeting us Americans, and those bonding moments created an amazing atmosphere for cultural exchange.
4. What was your experience like as a visiting student at a German school?
One thing that really stood out to me was how important punctuality is in German culture—something I hadn’t realized before. I walked to school with my host brother and used public transportation daily. One morning, we were running late and had to sprint to make it on time. The public transport system itself was a bit of a culture shock. I was amazed to see kids younger than me commuting to and from school alone on the U-Bahn—it was totally normal there.
5. What aspects of German culture or everyday life did you find the most enjoyable or interesting?
I was amazed by the number of bakeries—at nearly every corner and train station! If I was ever hungry or needed a quick snack, it was never a problem. I could always count on finding my favorite: chocolate croissants.
6. Are you still in touch with your host family or any friends you made during the exchange?
Yes, I'm still in touch with my host family and German exchange partner to this day. My German partner is also studying international relations, so we talk regularly about that. We reunited for the first time in four years in 2023 in Munich, and he even came to Berlin to celebrate my birthday in May. I'm currently planning a visit to see him in Austria—that’s how close we are.
I also stay in touch with my GAPP host family. We regularly chat on WhatsApp, and I was lucky enough to experience both Oktoberfest and Weihnachten (Christmas) with them in 2022. I now have two adopted German grandmothers—the mothers of my host parents. In 2023, I visited one of my "Omas" in Augsburg and had the chance to talk with her about growing up during World War II. I recently visited my other Oma in April 2025 in Itzehoe, where we played board games with her friends and talked about her childhood. They’re both in their 80s but haven’t missed a beat! My host family truly considers me part of their family.
7. How has your GAPP experience influenced your life since then—personally, academically, or professionally?
"Building bridges between countries and cultures" has become my motto—and I attribute that to GAPP. After my GAPP experience, I participated in the Congress-Bundestag Young Professionals Program, which brought me to Germany for a year. First, I lived in Cologne, completed an intensive German course, and then moved to Berlin, where I lived with a Turkish family. That introduced me to Turkish-German culture and paved the way for me to participate in the State Department's Critical Language Scholarship Program for Turkish in 2023 and 2024.
While in Berlin, I studied at Humboldt University and interned with the Evangelischer Arbeitskreis der CDU and with Thomas Rachel of the CDU, which gave me insight into German politics and government.
Currently, I’m one of 91 participants in the International Parliamentary Scholarship (IPS) Program, where I’m learning about democratic values, German history and governance, and how to build connections between nations.
Everything I’ve accomplished traces back to my time in the German American Partnership Program. My ultimate goal is to become a diplomat and continue fostering ties between the U.S. and Germany.
8. What advice would you give to high school students who are thinking about joining a GAPP exchange in the future?
Let go of fear. Fear can hold you back from opportunities like GAPP—opportunities that can shape your personal and professional life in ways you can’t imagine. GAPP is an amazing introduction to a country and culture you might never have encountered otherwise. And it connects you with people who could become lifelong friends.
