HOLD IT. What does the Super Bowl have to do with student exchange?!

Well let’s start with this: it’s not just about the game! (Right?!) There’s no denying that the Super Bowl has become a major national icon of connection and camaraderie (and oh yeah – FOOTBALL!)

Just think about it.

When else does our nation collectively consume over 1.3 billion chicken wings in a single day?!

But all joking aside, the celebrations surrounding the Super Bowl are wonderfully representative of life as an American – complete with familiar foods and jovial friendships – and as such, they draw our students even deeper into what it means to belong. For our students, connecting with “football culture” (and the Super Bowl in particular!) is one more way to round out their AMERICAN experience!

Ready to host a KILLER Super Bowl party?

Whether you’re currently hosting an exchange student or you’re just game for a party (see what I did there??) – consider adding some of these super simple activities to engage your guests!

Football Charades

Use all the common rules of charades but give it a Super Bowl twist. Here are a few words to help you get started: touchdown, field goal, cheerleader, helmet, football, team, quarterback, halfback, goal post, halftime, mascot, referee, announcer, and coach!

Don’t Say It

This game is played throughout the party and can result in some hilarious moments for the guests! Each person needs a whistle on a lanyard to wear during the party. One or two words are designated as off-limits. Choose words that your guests will tend to say a lot during the game such as football, touchdown or score. If someone says the forbidden word, the person who catches him takes his whistle! Play the game throughout the night, awarding a prize to the person with the most whistles at the end of the party.

Rate the Super Bowl Commercial

We all know that half the fun of watching the game is critiquing the commercials! Create “score cards” and attach them to popsicle sticks. Simply write numbers on card stock, give each guest a stack of score cards, and during each commercial, your guests can hold up their cards to rate how well the liked them on a scale of 1-5!

And don’t forget the FOOD!!

Is there anything better than sharing delicious food at a Super Bowl party?? Whether you’re hosting or going out, include a little international flare!

Hosting? Invite your student to pick a favorite dish to create from his/her home country!

Just dreaming of far-off shores? Try a new international dish to give a little variety to the standard chicken wings and buffalo sauce.

Need an idea? Try this traditional German appetizer, with German flavors like apple, sauerkraut, and knackwurst or bratwurst, served with a sweet mustard sauce.

Holiday Strudel with Mustard Sauce

reposted from https://germanfoods.org/recipe/holiday-strudel-with-mustard-sauce/

A great Oktoberfest or holiday party treat with German flavors. Strudel with apple, sauerkraut and knackwurst or bratwurst, with a sweet mustard cream sauce. Serve as an appetizer (8 portions) or slice larger as an entrée. (4 portions)

INGREDIENTS

  • 3/4 cup German butter melted
  • 1 cup minced onion
  • 1 large Granny Smith apple peeled, cored and diced
  • 1-1/2 cups drained German Wine Sauerkraut
  • 2 tsp caraway seeds
  • 8 sheets phyllo dough
  • 1/4 cup German sweet mustard
  • 1 pound authentic German knackwurst or bratwurst thinly sliced
  • 1 tbsp German butter
  • 1 tbsp flour
  • 1 cup light cream
  • 3 tbsp German sweet mustard
  • 1 tsp paprika
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  2. In a large skillet, over medium heat, warm 2 tablespoons butter, sauté onion for 3 minutes. Add diced apple and sauté 3 more minutes. Remove from heat, stir in sauerkraut and caraway, and mix well.
  3. On a large baking sheet, lay out one sheet of phyllo and fold in half lengthwise and brush with about 1 tablespoon butter. Repeat layering. Spread mustard over last layer of phyllo. Then spread sauerkraut filling along the long lengthwise side to the center of the dough leaving a 1 1/2-inch border around the edges. Top sauerkraut with knackwurst or bratwurst slices; roll jellyroll-style folding in the short edges. Place seam-side down on pan; brush top with butter and bake 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown.
  4. Meanwhile prepare mustard sauce. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-low heat, stir in flour to form a smooth past. Slowly stir in cream and continue stirring to keep lumps from forming. Whisk in mustard and heat through. Slice warm strudel and serve in a pool of mustard sauce. Sprinkle mustard sauce with paprika.