When I enrolled in my first German class, “Text in Context”, at the start of my freshman year, I never could have imagined what an integral role the German Department would play in shaping my Georgetown experience.
Over the past four years, some of my fondest memories and most formative experiences have been ones offered to me through the German Department. When I arrived on the Hilltop, I explored many different academic pursuits, but ultimately the German Department felt like home, leading me to declare a major in German during my sophomore year.
The small class sizes and tight-knit department provided me with the support and sense of community I didn’t experience in my larger lecture classes. The dedicated faculty took a genuine interest in my personal and academic development, and their passion for the German language and culture was contagious. I found myself enthusiastic about every German class I took during my time at Georgetown, covering content from literature to business, while forming friendships with fellow students and building connections with professors that I know will last a lifetime.
One of the most noteworthy aspects of my Georgetown experience has been the opportunity to extend my studies beyond the classroom. When Covid restrictions prevented me from returning home to Hong Kong after my freshman year, the German Department stepped in to help me secure a summer internship at the Goethe Institut, allowing me to apply my language skills in a professional setting. During my junior year, I was able to spend a semester abroad in Berlin. This life-changing experience allowed me to fully immerse myself in German culture, applying the language skills I gained in my Georgetown classes to everyday life. It was incredibly rewarding to witness my hard work paying off as I watched myself assimilate into life in Germany.
As I reflect on my past four years at Georgetown, there is no doubt that my experience was largely shaped by my involvement with the German Department. I feel a profound sense of gratitude to all my German professors and peers within the department, who offered me a supportive environment that allowed me to pursue my passion for German language and culture, shaping who I am today as both a student and an individual. As I prepare to embark on a new chapter beyond Georgetown, I will bring with me the confidence and global perspective the German Department equipped me with to navigate the world ahead.