Bethel College

Wuppertal Exchange Program

Since 1951, Bethel College and the Bergische Universität Wuppertal in Germany have maintained a student exchange program that permits two students from each institution to spend an academic year at the other institution. It is one of the oldest exchange programs between American and German universities.
Information about the 75th Anniversary

75th Anniversary

This year the Bethel-Wuppertal Exchange Program will be celebrating its 75th anniversary in both Wuppertal and North Newton.

Wuppertal

One specific event in Germany will be celebrated on June 4th at 6 p.m. in the CityKirche in Elberfeld, Wuppertal, with a concert featuring the Bethel College Choir and the University Vokalensemble.

Bethel

The celebration at Bethel will take place during the annual Fall Fest weekend with several events occurring on October 16-18, 2026.

  • A 15-ounce commemorative glass featuring the special 75th Anniversary Bethel/Wuppertal Exchange Program logo can be ordered here for $20 by September 1, 2026. They will be available for pickup at Fall Fest (no shipping available).
  • Hospitality Booth on the Green on Saturday, October 17th. A place to to relax, connect with other Bethel/Wuppertal exchange participants, have some refreshments, and pick up commemorative glass tankard.
  • Gathering at Kauffman Museum on Saturday afternoon, October 17th, 3:00-6:00 p.m. for Bergische Waffeln, coffee/tea, slide show, etc.  Please RSVP here by September 15, 2026.
  • Sunday noon meal at Water’s Edge Restaurant in Hesston, Kansas at 12 noon.  Full menu buffet including breakfast items, salads, hot entrees, desserts, beverages for approximately $25.  Pay on location. Please RSVP here by September 15, 2026.

How to Contact

More information will be forthcoming in the future weeks and months.  We hope that as many alums as possible of this unique exchange program will be able to participate in this milestone celebration.

History of the Program

When it began in 1951, the program was affiliated with the Pädagogische-Hochschule in Wuppertal, which later became the Bergische Universität. Over 150 students have gained firsthand experience in a different culture, built lifelong friendships, and developed language proficiency as they completed academic work at a foreign university.

The exchange program is administered by Daniel Quinlin, Professor of Languages, and Bettina Hofmann, a member of the English faculty in Wuppertal. Anyone desiring more information on the program should contact Professor Quinlin.

Friends of Bethel in Germany
Förderverein der Freunde des Bethel Colleges

In recent years, German participants in the program and Bethel alumni in Germany founded the Förderverein der Freunde des Bethel Colleges (Friends of Bethel in Germany), to fellowship and especially support Bethel students studying in Wuppertal.

Anniversary celebrations have taken place in 1966, 1976 and 2001 to commemorate the program. Special 15th-, 25th- and 50th-anniversary documents record these observances and the program’s history.

Past exchange students