Grüß Gott Justin und Marin!

Kate Hartmann, CSB/SJU '05, tells about her wonderful experiences in Germany and Austria since graduation

Kate is a 2005 German major and graduate of St. Ben's, having spent a semester in Salzburg in 2003. She found out about this volunteer opportunity through researching various programs combining education and the German language. After this volunteer program, Kate is looking forward to a career path combining her passion for language, education, and travel. Kate is currently participating in a volunteer program through the Freunde der Erziehungskunst Rudolf Steiners, an organization based in Karlsruhe, Germany promoting Waldorf Education. Kate is spending the 2009-2010 school year at the Freie Waldorfschule Hof, working with sixth grade Gartenbau, Hauptunterricht, and Werken, as well as elementary and high school English and afternoon care for the first through sixth grade class.

Hi Father Mark!

I would love to tell you all a little about what I've been doing with this volunteer program. It is actually pretty amazing how this whole opportunity came about for me. I had been working in the corporate world in the legal department of a mortgage company since college, pining away for some amazing opportunity such as the one I am involved with now. Over this past summer, I did a lot of research on various programs combining the German language and education and kept coming back to the organization I am currently with, the Freunde der Erziehungskunst Rudolf Steiners. Knowing that the deadline for acceptance was almost over, I sent in my application to see if there were any openings for the coming volunteer year. The organization replied and said that they had just received an email that day that a position had just opened up at a Waldorf school in Hof, Germany, starting in about two weeks (the position was formerly filled by a volunteer who was not able to go at the last minute)! I was completely amazed as this was exactly what I wanted, and I knew that volunteer positions in schools are few and far between (at least with this organization). So, I quit my job, packed up my things, and two weeks later I was in Germany! It was amazing how everything worked out for me. So, with that, here is what I have for you as far as what I've been doing with this organization. Please feel free to edit as you see fit. Thanks and hope you are doing well!

Kate

Senior German Projects

Every year, the senior German majors work on an individual research project. This is an opportunity for students to personalize their work; true to form, the students pick unique and interesting topics every year. Brittany, Nick, Melissa, Amy and Robert, we are so proud of your work!

Here is a collection of the senior projects from Class of 2009:  Brittany Boll: Das Konkrete Symbol: Eine Einsicht in die Literaturepoche und das Kulturelle Milieu seiner Zeit // Nick Elsen: Michael Ende's "Die unendliche Geschichte"  //   Melissa Hendrickx: Die Frauengedichte von deutschen Konzentrationslager  //   Amy Heroux: Die Rolle des Titels in Deutschen Gedichten  //  Robert Mevissen: Die Rolle des Vogels in deutschen Märchen

Will Rogers, German grad '05, has loved his last 5 years in Germany

Hey Guys.

To give you a quick background, I was a 2005 Graduate of SJU with a Double Major in German & Psychology and I also took part in the SJU Salzburg program in 2003. I choose to be a German major at Saint Johns because it was something I truly enjoyed. However, I didn't think it would take me to where I am today. I learned quickly post-graduation that having language skills can lead you into amazing careers with international exposure. I have spent the last 4 years working and living in Germany as a Regional Manager for a Minnesota based medical company simply because I had experience as a German major and studying in Salzburg through Saint John's. In this time I have developed my German language skills beyond what I ever thought was possible. I have also been afforded the opportunity to travel throughout Western Europe and the rest of the world, because of my continuing exposure to International work experience.

To be living and working again in Germany and Austria after spending a semester there during my Junior year has been amazing. I return to Salzburg on a monthly basis for work and I am still able to meet with and catch up with old friends that I had met there in 2003. I would encourage everyone taking German courses to continue to pursue German as a major or 2nd major for the simple fact that it can only benefit you post-graduation. Having foreign language skills and international experience separates you from everyone else applying for jobs or graduate schools.