A Passport to Possibility
Edelweiss Club gift brings German study abroad within reach for more GVSU students
When Professor Kevin Neitzert speaks about Grand Valley’s study abroad programs, his enthusiasm is contagious.
“I’ve never seen a student study abroad and come back unchanged,” said Neitzert, a German language faculty member at GVSU. “They come back more confident, more curious. They come back different people.”
Thanks to a unique partnership with the Edelweiss Club of Grand Rapids, even more students will now have the opportunity to experience that transformation. The club, which celebrates German culture through events like Oktoberfest, traditional holiday parties, and community language classes, recently committed to providing $10,000 each year for up to the next decade to support students participating in Grand Valley’s German summer study abroad program. Their gift ensures that cost doesn’t have to be a barrier for students pursuing this life-changing experience.
From Campus to Community
The Edelweiss Club has long been a champion of preserving and promoting German culture in West Michigan. In recent years, club members have expressed a growing desire to support the next generation more directly.
Many were interested in brushing up on their language skills before traveling abroad. That sparked the idea to offer beginner German language classes taught to the community by GVSU students. “We started seeing real connections form between the students and club members,” said Neitzert, who is also a member of the Edelweiss Club and helped coordinate the classes. “That relationship planted the seed.”
Soon after, students who were preparing for a summer study abroad trip began reaching out to the club for support. “They’d ask, ‘Is there any way you could help me afford to go?’” Neitzert shared. “So, the club pulled together a scholarship committee and formalized the support.”
The result was a ten-year commitment to fund the German faculty-led summer study abroad program, with funds evenly distributed among the students attending each year. “It’s changed the game,” Neitzert said. “We know the program is going to run, and that gives us a powerful tool to recruit and support students.”
Language, Confidence, and Connection
For students, the benefits of studying abroad range from the academic to the deeply personal. “Their language skills skyrocket,” Neitzert said. “They’re immersed in German all day, every day. And more than that, they gain a sense of independence and confidence that’s hard to teach in a classroom.”
Kate Stoetzner, executive director of the Padnos International Center, agrees. “Students develop cultural competency, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. They learn how to navigate daily life in another country, and they learn a lot about themselves in the process.”
One recent participant, Caroline Hamilton, described the pride they felt simply figuring out the public transit system in Germany. “They didn’t start by talking about the castles or museums,” Neitzert said. “They talked about conquering the bus system. That kind of growth matters.” These successes and growth in confidence often stick with students long after they return, carrying through their lives in immeasurable ways.
Along with experiencing the day-to-day rhythms of life abroad, many students also savor the cultural immersion that comes through food. “My time here has exposed me to some of the best German and worldwide cuisine there is,” said Dominik Rieder.
Temmy Williams, another participant, found unexpected inspiration in Germany’s environmental consciousness. “Everywhere you go you can see windmills in the distance or solar farms passing by on public transportation,” they shared. “Honestly, I love seeing how conscious everyone here is about the environment.”
A New Model for Impact
This scholarship is the first of its kind at Grand Valley: an ongoing, community-funded gift that supports a specific study abroad program.
“It’s innovative,” Stoetzner said. “This model opens the door for other cultural organizations to consider how they can support students in a meaningful, lasting way.”
She’s hopeful that the relationship between the Edelweiss Club and participating students will continue to grow. Students will be invited to club events after their return, providing opportunities to connect, practice their language skills, and share their experiences.
“There’s a lot of enthusiasm,” Stoetzner said. “It’s a win-win. The club gets to see the impact of their support firsthand, and students get to stay engaged with the culture they’ve just experienced so deeply.”
Changing Lives, One Trip at a Time
Neitzert, who studied abroad himself in college, knows the impact this kind of gift can have. “I started out as a business major,” he said. “But I studied abroad, fell in love with the language, and it changed my entire trajectory. I’ve been teaching German ever since.”
Now, thanks to this commitment, more students will have the chance to write their own stories.
“To any student, wherever you’re studying, whatever your major, go abroad,” Neitzert said. "You aren’t just giving someone a plane ticket – you are helping them become who they’re meant to be. And to anyone wondering if it’s worth supporting: it absolutely is.”
