“Through this program, I have greatly improved my German language skills and my ability to connect with people from different backgrounds. As a chemical engineering major, I hope to use these skills to work for a German company either in the United States or Germany, and this experience has given me a strong foundation to make that possible. Beyond the language itself, I’ve gained cultural understanding and confidence that I know will benefit me in any work environment,” reflected Max Hoffman, a chemical engineering major minoring in business and German, on the Dresden Summer Language Program.
Led by the Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures, students cultivate language skills in an eight-week immersion environment and study the recent history of Dresden and Saxony.
“It was important for me to go abroad because I believe it is the best way to improve my foreign language skills. I want to be able to speak German in a professional setting, so the Dresden program has been a wonderful first step to doing that. I have been able to learn German not only in the classroom, but through everyday conversations and experiences. Those moments have helped me build so much confidence with my language skills.”
Students are enrolled at the Technische Universität Dresden and participate in lectures and excursions with plenty of time for independent exploration.
“Getting to truly immerse myself in German culture has been the best part of this experience for me. Living in Germany has allowed me to experience every aspect of everyday life and to appreciate both the differences and the similarities with my life in the United States. Going from learning German in the classroom to using those skills at the cafeteria or coffee shop right after class has been so exciting,” said Hoffman.
“During this experience, I’ve realized how important it is to live with an open mind. There are so many things I would have missed out on if I hadn’t been willing to try new things and step outside my comfort zone. I’ve learned that I enjoy being pushed to adapt to new situations, and I’ve grown a lot by embracing differences and learning to live as people here do.”