I began studying German as a first-semester political science major at UMass. Having no previous experience with German before, I found myself in German 110, an introductory course to the language. I had never considered myself skillful at learning languages, but with a lot of determination and the close support from the professors in the GSS department, I was able to succeed.
During my first year I quickly developed a deep appreciation for the beauty of the German language, and decided that I would like to continue my studies in Germany for my second year. It was also at this time that I decided to add GSS as a second major. Interacting with and bonding with the close-knit community of undergraduate and graduate students, as well as the GSS professors influenced this decision. The positive experience of my first year greatly helped me overcome my former feelings of angst towards learning a foreign language.
In September of 2013 I traveled to the German city of Konstanz, where I studied until July of the following year. I completed a large portion of coursework for both of my majors during the two semesters I spent abroad. My German skills also improved immensely, and I gained a level of knowledge about German and European culture that one only earns from living abroad in a country for an extended period. My final two years of GSS at UMass consisted of more advanced language classes, German film studies, and a year of Old Norse. My capstone project observed the historical trends in the development of the German welfare state.
After graduating from UMass in the spring of 2016 with my double major, I returned to Germany in October of 2016 to begin a two-year master of public policy program at the university of Erfurt. I enjoy combining my passions for politics and public policy with those of German history and culture in my academic work. Some of my current research interests include the rise of social democracy in Germany post-WWII, economic policies regarding reunification and reconstruction, Ostpolitik, and European integration. My experience with GSS at UMass absolutely helped shape who, and where I am today. I am strongly considering remaining in Germany to work after finishing my degree. GSS broadened my horizons beyond the classrooms of UMass and has continued to give me more opportunities to live, study, and work in Germany and Europe as a whole.