The seventh annual German-American Day celebration held in the Eastern Michigan University Student Center Auditorium on Oct. 4 included talks from students in the German programs at EMU, staff and faculty involved in German studies and a professor who was in Germany.
German-American Day is an official holiday in the United States celebrated on October 6, commemorating the landing of several German families in Pennsylvania in 1683, which later founded the first German settlement in the 13 colonies.
The presentations showcased the many opportunities available to EMU students studying German. Included in the list of presenters were students who had participated on EMU-sponsored study abroad trips, alumni, instructors and professors of German topics and those who have found a career focusing on German.
Margrit Zinggeler, professor of German, reflected on the excitement shared by the Department of World Languages on hosting the event.
“There is nothing more exciting to us than German-American Day,” she said. “This is the highlight of our year.”
The highlight of the evening talks was a video chat session with Sascha Feuchert, EMU honorary professor, who spoke live from the University of Giessen in Germany.
Feuchert described his work at the Holocaust Literature Research Unit, the only one of its kind in Europe.
“We work with texts from Holocaust survivors,” he said. “For example, the Ghetto Chronicle, which has 3,000 pages and is the longest text from the Holocaust.”
EMU offers a study abroad program focused entirely on the Holocaust called “Representing the Holocaust.” Students spend two weeks accompanied by EMU professors Marty Shichtman and Carla Damiano visiting Holocaust-related landmarks. Students can earn three credit hours for their fields of study.
Michael Eisinger, senior at EMU, had the opportunity to go on the “Representing the Holocaust” trip this past spring. The heavy impression of experiencing the legacy first-hand was not lost on him.
“It’s something you can’t learn in a textbook,” he said. “You have to live it.”
There are programs with a broader scope allowing students to design their study list and take courses suited to their own interests. Participants from these general programs spoke of their experiences in Düsseldorf, Berlin, Karlsruhe and Giessen, sharing stories of exploring the cities, trying new foods, learning the language and culture, interacting with locals and, of course, getting lost.
Ashley Howard, a student of German language and literature, was the first EMU student to study at Giessen. When describing her year spent in Germany, she said: “I simply would not change anything. My experience was unforgettable.”
Monica Lesher, another student in German literature and language, spent one semester in Giessen, and advised the audience: “Just get over there and experience it, because it’s just an invaluable experience.”
After a short break, the program featured several people who made their career around their love for the German culture and language. Those majoring in language studies were posed the question, “What do you do with a major in that?”
Three EMU alumni answer that question with enthusiasm: “Whatever you want.”
Raymond Edgerly graduated from EMU just one year ago with a major in business administration and a minor in business practices and worked as an intern in Cologne. After noting the Germans’ standards of punctuality are far stricter than the Americans’, he finished with optimism for students of German.
“Now is the best time to learn German for both business and work,” he said.
Several students from Redford Union High School were in attendance and reported they were strongly
considering enrolling at EMU and continuing their language studies. The presentations, they said, did much to allay their fears and doubts about study abroad and at the prospect of participating in one of these trips.
Chris Puzzuoli, who graduated from EMU with a degree in German, announced that the EMU German Alumni will soon be officially established and invited all students with an interest in Germany, not just those majoring in language studies, to consider joining for networking opportunities.
Attendants were treated to an authentic German dinner with wurst and mustard, spaetzle (a kind of egg noodle) and a red cabbage slaw. Complementing the dinner were pastries with warmed vanilla sauce, coffee and apple cider. The dinner gave all the attendants a chance to talk with the speakers and faculty.
Also present were donors Tom and Mary Layher and Melinda Isbell-Johnson, each founders of scholarships that fund specifically EMU students who will study abroad in Germany. At these events the donors are able to meet the students who are supported by their scholarships.
Daniel Randau, who is from Giessen, is in his first semester as a lecturer at EMU. He teaches courses in German literature and elementary and intermediate German. He said he appreciates the diversity of opportunity and constant supply of events at Eastern.
“I am surprised at how eager and enthusiastic EMU students are,” he said.
The German section of the Department of World Languages is small, having just two full-time professors of German. The curriculum is heavily interdisciplinary, with courses in Jewish studies and business available for students. Yet it is able to produce five Fulbright scholars, many study abroad participants and numerous students who devote their entire undergraduate career to the study of German by choosing a major in the language or business.
With these and more achievements of the small department highlighted at Monday’s event, Zinggeler believes that the department’s size does not take away from its quality.
“We are klein aber fein,” she said. “Small but fine.”
