by Jessi Jones
 

So each academic year, one student from the Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures is selected to study and serve as a T.A. in the Institute of English and American Studies at Dresden University of Technology. The fact that you were chosen is a big deal! Congratulations! How were you selected for this? Did you apply, or did you have to write an essay, etc.?

Basically, I just had to submit a statement of purpose to the Department of Germanic Languages at Ohio State, and they recommended me to the Dresden University of Technology as a candidate for their exchange program. 

Was this your first time in Germany? How did it feel when you first arrived, were you nervous?

This is actually my third time in Germany. As a high school student I was given the opportunity to spend three weeks in Delmenhorst in Lower Saxony, which is the sister city of my hometown Toledo, OH. This trip definitely had a major impact on my later decision to take up German as a subject of study. I also spent a couple of weeks in Berlin in the summer of 2010 to do research for my senior capstone project as an undergraduate student at the University of Cincinnati. This was the first time I was ever given the chance to spend a long period of time in Germany, and yes, I definitely had quite a few butterflies in my stomach when I first got here! 

What has it been like being a T.A. in a German University? Is it stressful having to use a second language on a daily basis? What kind of research are you working on while you are there?

Being a graduate assistant at TU Dresden has definitely been a rewarding experience. My job is basically to proofread texts written in English by faculty members and graduate students in the English Studies department here. I also have translated a few German texts into English, which is something I never really had the opportunity to do before and I really enjoy it! As far as using a second language on a daily basis, it certainly did take a bit of time to get used to, but now it's no problem at all. 

What do you hope to get out of this experience?

My main motivation for studying abroad was to improve my German skills. Prior to coming to Dresden, I was pretty shy and not very confident when it came to speaking German, but the five months I have spent here so far have definitely changed that. 

Okay let’s go back in time a little bit, when did you first start studying German, and why did you pick it?

I first starting learning German in high school and one of the major reasons I decided to learn it was because of my German heritage. After I started learning the language I absolutely fell in love with it which lead to my decision to major in German Studies as an undergraduate, and here I am! 

What do you find most challenging about studying German?

I think that one of the most challenging things about studying German is having the patience and determination that is required to truly master it, but this is something that definitely pays off in the long run. 

What is the most interesting course you’ve had in your time at Ohio State?

I would say that the most interesting course I have taken at Ohio State was Prof. Davidson's course on representations of work in German cinema. I had never really been much of a film studies person, but this class definitely changed that. 

How has (if at all) Ohio State been instrumental in furthering your language skills and preparing you for your future plans? I guess this question goes along with - what are your future plans?

Ohio State has been very instrumental on both fronts. The two major reasons why I chose Ohio State was because of their excellent study abroad opportunities for graduate students and their T.A. program. Since I plan to teach in the future, it was very important to me that I gain teaching experience as a graduate student to better prepare me for the job market. My decision to study abroad was also influenced by my plans to become a teacher, since I knew that any experience that would improve my German skills would definitely prove beneficial in the classroom later on. 

What is something that most American students don’t know about the culture surrounding German education?

There really aren't very many major differences that I have noticed, but it does seem like the classes here are more teacher-centered than they are in the states.  Here it seems like most of the discussions in class are between the instructor and the students, rather than among the students themselves. But, again, this is only something I have observed from the handful of classes I have taken here so far and could be completely off the mark. 

What advice would you give students studying/living/working abroad?

Make the most of your time abroad and never be afraid to make mistakes, as cliché as it sounds.  It's all part of the learning process!