Congratulations to our 2025 Graduates!

We asked several of our graduating students for their reflections on their time in the German Department, and we wish them the best of luck for everything to come!

Bridget Sippel (CAS‘25)
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.

Alexandra Roe (CAS’25)
My time as a German major at Georgetown has been one of the most meaningful parts of my college experience, thanks in large part to the support and mentorship of the German Department. Through a range of thought-provoking electives, I was challenged to think critically, engage with complex cultural topics, and grow as both a student and global citizen. With the department’s guidance, I spent a semester abroad in Berlin, where I explored the city’s dynamic cultural life and strengthened my language skills through full immersion. My studies also helped me earn first runner-up in the 2023 Miss German America of Greater New York competition. Serving as a Princess was both an honor and a responsibility: I had the opportunity to promote German heritage throughout the NYC tri-state area, speak live on Good Day New York, and even ride on a float in the annual Steuben Day Parade down Fifth Avenue. After graduation, I’ll be working in marketing at an asset management firm in New York City. My German skills even played a role in the hiring process—my future manager, originally from Munich, appreciated our shared language and cultural connection. I’m incredibly grateful to the German Department for shaping my academic journey and opening doors I never imagined when I first arrived at Georgetown!

Lucas Guerra (CAS‘25)
I was nervous to start learning a new language, especially since it was required by the College of Arts and Sciences. I still remember my first day in German class with Professor Pankova and realizing I’d need to take three more semesters to meet the language requirement. At first, it felt like a huge challenge. But over those first two years, I found myself genuinely enthusiastic about the German language and culture. That interest led me to continue beyond the requirement and eventually pursue a minor in German.

One of the most meaningful parts of my Georgetown experience was studying abroad in Trier, Germany. When I enrolled in Georgetown, I could never have imagined that I would be capable of a full language immersion. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity. It was a blessing to step outside my comfort zone and fully immerse myself in the language and everyday life.

The German department is one of the best parts of my experience at Georgetown. The faculty has become like a second family to me. Their dedication to teaching and the supportive, engaging environment they create made all the difference. I’ve truly felt seen, encouraged, and challenged to grow both as a German student and as a person.