BeSO & College Counseling

School Profile

With the dual diploma, the German International Abitur (DIA) and the High School Diploma, GISSV prepares its students for universities and careers worldwide. Making self-determined and conscious decisions about one's future educational and career path is a challenging task for students at the end of their school journey. With the diverse offerings of academic and career guidance, our expertise, and individual counseling, we support and accompany the students and their families in this decision-making process.

*Logo: Winners of an in-school student competition on the topic of Logo Design in the subject of Art/BeSO in the school year 2022/23 - Grade 11 (Katjana K., Kai F., Fabian Z.)

The Team

The Team

We closely collaborate with the school leadership team, the entire faculty, as well as our external experts and alumni network to provide and continually develop personalized, tailored, and up-to-date information and counseling services for the international student body at GISSV.

The team of academic and career counseling/Studien- und Berufsberatung consists of:

Ms. Schwadten

Teacher (Studienrätin) and Systemic Counselor (certified by DGSF), Koordinatorin der Studien- und Berufsberatung (Coordinator of Academic and Career Counseling) (Germany/Europe)

Contact: cschwadten@gissv.org

Ms. Jungeblut

Assistant Principal and College Admission Counselor (U.S. and international)

Contact: jjungeblut@gissv.org

Mr. Traynham

School and College Admission Counselor (U.S. and international)

Contact: rtraynham@gissv.org

COUNSELING AND COACHING SERVICES FOR GRADES 9-12

For individual counseling, Mrs. Jungeblut, Mr. Traynham (College Counseling USA), and Mrs. Schwadten (Academic and Career Counseling Germany/EU | Studien- und Berufsorientierung Deutschland/EU) are available for students as well as for you as parents in our individual consultations and office hours. Please feel free to email us at any time to schedule an appointment.

Additionally, as a systemic counselor, Mrs. Schwadten is also available for individual student coaching upon request.

INFORMATION AND EVENTS

With the CA High School Diploma and the German International Abitur, the world is open to our students. We provide information on various pathways and opportunities:

Info Night: Education and Study Opportunities in Germany

At the beginning of each school year, we hold a parent night to inform families (starting from Grade 10) about the education and study system in Germany, academic and (dual) career and study paths, as well as their entry requirements and financing (scholarships). We and our partners from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Technical University of Munich (TUM) are happy to answer all your questions on this evening. The English-language event is of particular interest to American families who may still be largely unfamiliar with the German higher education and training system.

College Info Night: Studying in the U.S. - The Application Process

Applying to U.S. colleges is a complex process, and students need to start preparing for it already in the first year of high school. During this information session, we present an overview of the different colleges and universities in the U.S. as well as admittance requirements and financial implications. This session is especially important to students and families of grades 8 and 9 as well as newly arrived families from Germany and abroad.

Digital Trade Fairs for Education and Higher Education

The Vocatium Fair has been a well-attended fair for career and educational orientation for over 22 years. In addition to the numerous in-person events held in all regions of Germany, the Vocatium Fair is now also available as a digital fair. Once a year, 11th-grade students voluntarily participate in the digital workshops and discussions offered by the digital fair. As part of the BeSO (Berufs- und Studienorientierung = career and study orientation) class, we prepare for the fair extensively, enabling all students to arrange and attend individual appointments with selected exhibitors and educational institutions, followed by joint evaluations.

Parents also have numerous information and counseling options within the framework of this fair, which you are welcome to take advantage of individually.

Student Internship Fair at GISSV

The insights and experiences gained by students during the Job Shadowing Week and the internship in 10th grade are presented by the students at an internship fair held annually in September. We invite parents, company representatives from various internship placements, as well as students from grades 9, 10, and 12 to participate, allowing for active exchange, reflection on experiences, and the opportunity to build networks.

Internships Grades 9-10

Job Shadowing Week Grade 10

At GISSV, all students in Grade 10 are required to complete a one-week, curriculum-based vocational internship, known as the Job Shadowing Week, at a company of their choice. The internship can be completed in the United States or Germany and is accompanied by mentors and the Academic and Career Counselor (Germany). You can find more detailed information, documents, and templates for students and parents here.

Social Internship Grade 9

The introduction of an additional social internship in Grade 9 is planned. More detailed information will be provided shortly.

MENTORING PROGRAM

"Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction." (J. Crosby)

For several years now, we have been offering a personalized mentoring program at GISSV for grades 9-11. At the beginning of the school year, all students in these grade levels choose a teacher as their contact person and confidant for all matters related to their academic development. In one-on-one conversations, mentors provide individual and personalized support. The goal of the program is to enhance personal learning paths and provide assistance in the decision-making process about one's own future. More detailed information can be found here.

CAREER ORIENTATION/BeSO IN GRADES 10-11

Introduction Workshop Grade 10

In this one-day modular workshop, students in Grade 10 are introduced to essential aspects of career and study orientation at GISSV (pathways after high school in the USA/Germany). Additionally, they are encouraged to delve deeper into their own personality, strengths, individual values, goals, and future aspirations. The workshop also aims to teach them stress management skills and enhance their resilience. The results, new perspectives, thoughts, and inspirations of the students are documented in an individual portfolio, preparing them for the BeSO (career and study orientation) class.

Application Training Grade 10-11

Application training for students takes place in English class in Grade 10 and is further developed in the BeSO (career and study orientation) class in Grade 11. The formats of cover letters and resumes are practiced in English. In the BeSO class, application interviews and assessment tasks are simulated, tested, and reflected upon through group exercises.

BeSo - Career and Study Orientation as a Subject in Grade 11

In Grade 11, the BeSO class is introduced. This 45-minute class is non-graded. The aim is to provide information about study and training pathways and opportunities in Germany and the U.S., and to support students in the process of individual orientation and decision-making.

Through exercises, practical methods, various testing procedures, and group discussions, students are encouraged to engage deeply with their own personality, strengths, individual values, goals, and future aspirations, ultimately leading to a well-considered career or study choice. This process is mandatory and documented in an individually created portfolio.

To facilitate an inspiring exchange, invited guests, alumni, and experts share their career paths and personal experiences from their work lives with the students, engaging in conversations about their journeys.

ORIENTATION - PATHWAYS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL IN GERMANY & PARTNERSHIPS

To study in Germany or pursue a state-recognized training program with promising employment and future prospects, there are several options. The application processes for these opportunities are usually relatively short-term and often much less complex than those for American universities. An initial overview and some general research links are provided in this brief presentation. You can obtain more in-depth information and explanations at our information sessions or through personal discussions.