HUDSON — About 30 students and three teachers from Carl-Orff Gymnasium, a school in the Munich suburb of Unterschleissheim, are staying with several host families as part of a German exchange program organized by Alvirne High School and Nashua's two public high schools.

“The kids are still a little bit intimidated,” said Susi Schmid, one of the German teachers chaperoning the group, which arrived last weekend. “They are still getting to know the real American life, in contrast to what they have seen on TV.”

Host families hail from Concord, Merrimack, Derry, Pelham, Hudson and Nashua.

Students gathered Monday at a welcome breakfast at Alvirne High to talk about their first few days in the United States.

“It is different, but I really like it,” said Vanessa Kobler, 16, of Germany. “It is fun.”

Kobler has been studying English for several years, and can speak the language well. Still, she said it is often difficult to find the correct words to articulate her feelings.

Kobler said she is most excited to visit New York City for two days next weekend.

She sampled glazed doughnuts with frosting and sprinkles from Dunkin' Donuts at the breakfast.

“This is my first doughnut here. We have them in Germany, but they are not this good,” she said.

Kelli Connolly of Hudson is hosting Kobler during the two-week visit.

“I am really looking forward to making a good friendship and bonding with her,” Connolly said.

After a trip to the State House in Concord, the group was planning to visit Merrimack Premium Outlets Monday afternoon.

Other day trips include a tour of Boston, a whale watch at Hampton Beach, a hike in the White Mountains and visits to Pawtuckaway State Park, Plimoth Plantation and Walden Pond in Massachusetts and Ogunquit, Maine.

“This is such an amazing experience for not only the visitors, but for the American hosts as well. It can really be life-changing,” said Lori McIntosh, a guidance counselor at Nashua High School North who helped organize this summer's German Exchange Program.

The program was started about 15 years ago.

A group of students from southern New Hampshire is scheduled to visit the hosted students in Munich in February 2013.

“The program has really expanded throughout the years,” said Daniel Wells of Alvirne High School, one of the founders of the program. “Everybody seemed to have a good first weekend, and they are all ready for the next two weeks.”

The foreign exchange students are to return to Germany July 31.

khoughton@newstote.com