Spotlights
Elly Rosenthal, Germany
I sit here writing this whilst enjoying a cuppa from my living room in London, England, but there is a story behind this which got me to this place, and it all started with my study abroad program. Honestly, I can tell you that I wouldn’t be where I am (geographically and career-wise) today without studying abroad in Schwäbisch Gmünd in 2009 and 2010.
I had always wanted to go to Germany, and I was studying German and International Relations at GVSU, which made me yearn to see the world! The faculty-led summer programme at the PH in Schwäbisch Gmünd really appealed to me as it allowed GVSU students to stay with host families in the local area. I wanted full exposure to the German language, and the best way to learn a language is to throw yourself in the deep-end, and immerse yourself completely.
I stayed with such a delightful, patient and encouraging host family, who I still visit on a regular basis, and are some of my closest friends. The homestay allowed me to form a personal connection with the German language, which then motivated me to continue building on my language skills. I felt I had a reason to learn the language, as I wanted to maintain a relationship with my host family beyond my study abroad program. Most of all, I discovered that learning German could be a really exciting and thrilling experience.
I had such a great experience at the PH and staying with a host family that I wanted to do it all again the following summer. After ironing out the fine details, I was fortunate enough to return to Schwäbisch Gmünd in April 2010.
In summer 2010, my experience differed slightly as I stayed in the student hall of residence and had the chance to immerse myself in the student life. That time around, I took classes with the regular students at the PH, took the end of term exams, and wrote the final papers. My host family (from the previous summer) was just down the road from the school, so I was able to visit them often.
After I returned to Michigan after my time abroad, I already knew I wanted to return to Germany in April 2011, after graduation. I had worked so hard to improve my language skills, and I wanted to use it on a daily basis, and in my future career.
I ended up teaching English as second language in Stuttgart, Germany for a few years, and then l landed a job in London, England in 2014. My current job in London, in the Global Mobility field, requires me to speak German on a regular basis and communicate with colleagues from all over the globe. My German language is still a ‘project’ I continue to work on, and it has opened many doors allowing me to form friendships, and build relationships with lots of different people.
It is with all my heart that I urge all students to at least explore the option of study abroad. You never know who you will meet, what passions or hobbies you will discover, and how this will build a foundation for your future career!
- Elly Rosenthal, Germany, 2009 & 2010
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