I’m currently studying international business at DHBW Mosbach campus. My first course was an introductory language class in which I digested more practical German in the first week than I had throughout the three months I’d spent back in the states in my extracurricular studies. My second course was Human Resource Management (HRM) wherein we were taught the value of corporative HRM. After HRM came macroeconomics, international accounting, and then finance. Classes at DHBW are quite different from those I’ve taken at my home institution in the states.

On the weekends I have seized every opportunity to travel to and view the many fine sights Germany has to offer. My favorites have been the castles in Fussen. The Neuschwanstein Castle was absolutely thrilling to tour. It was grand and elegant, piercing proudly through the mountains. Also, I have made my way to many cities on the romantic road. From Wurzburg to Munich, Augsburg to Rothernburg, Stuttgart, Hiedbronn, and Trier; every city has been an unbelievable adventure filled with charm and beauty, each surpassing its reputation.

I also had the wonderful opportunity to visit Berlin. During our five days there, I learned a great deal about the German government and a few of Germany’s largest companies, not mention seeing countless attractions like the Berlin Wall. We started our tour with the Reichstag Parliament, climbing all the way to the top of the glass dome. I also learned all about Deutsche Bahn, Germany’s national railroad company, as we received a lecture from the head of human resources at the headquarters. We visited the STASI-prison too, the famous Brandenburg Gate, and Alexanderplaz.

Outside of Germany I have visited a few of the surrounding countries including Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Spain, and the Netherlands. Amsterdam was, as it is invariably said to be, an incredible adventure. I visited the Red Light District, as you are obliged to do in Amsterdam, went to the flower market, the Anne Frank house, and the exquisite Van Gogh Museum. Although I must say, our most extraordinary visit had to have been the notorious Prague in the Czech Republic. It was there that I walked through the old Jewish ghetto and learned much of the city’s history. Prague was simply a fairytale. One morning I woke up unusually early and beheld the sunrise on the Charles Bridge; a heavenly sight like none I’d ever set eyes upon.

This has been a wonderful experience that has allowed me to travel to places I would have shamefully never knew existed, meet and befriend delightful new people, and discover so much within myself that I never knew was there. It has been an education like none I could have ever wished to receive, and an experience I will always remember as the trip that so irreparably and fortuitously changed my life. I now possess that feeling you get after visiting somewhere new and knowing you could never be satisfied with just settling down to lead a “normal life.” I want to see more, to ingest every bit I can until I’m full and expired. For anybody considering spending a semester abroad to study in Germany but isn’t sure if it’s worth it, my advice is to not dare deprive yourself of the wonders that lay within the majestic, inexhaustible Deutschland. Es ist die beste Erfahrung.

The post Auggies aborad: Fia Goldfine in Germany appeared first on News and Media.

—–

This past summer, I got the opportunity to study abroad in Paris, France. Through the Knowledge Exchange Institute, I enrolled in two classes that challenged me in the areas of European business and French society. Along with the classes, I had the experience of understanding French culture via walking tours of the city led by my professor.

Throughout my time, I also traveled to Versailles, Brussels, and London. Although all of these cities were great, Paris was the most enjoyable for me. Being challenged each and every day by new surroundings, culture, and lifestyle was an experience I’ll never forget and one I learned valuable lessons from.

Living in a Parisian flat near the center of the city, I was able to discover new things every day. Whether I’d decide to go see a major tourist attraction or a lesser-known spot, every day was an adventure. Attractions like the Louvre, Centre Pompidou, Musée d’Orsay, Montmarte, Notre Dame, and the Eiffel Tower were some of the most memorable. The Andy Warhol exhibit at the National Gallery was brilliant, and since Warhol is my favorite artist, I may have visited far too often. Meeting new people from every country imaginable was absolutely amazing, and I continue to stay in contact with them.

The photo I submitted for the Augsburg International Photo Contest is titled “Soccer at Le Sacré-Coeur.” I took the photo near the end of my trip while touring the area of Montmarte. This was one of the most impressive displays of talent I’ve ever seen.

Performing below the Basilica of Sacré-Coeur, the young man managed to balance on a gate while gracefully performing soccer ball routines choreographed to music, never allowing the ball to reach the ground. I can’t imagine the practice that went in to perfecting this talent, but it was paying off with extremely generous, cheering observers throughout the afternoon. The photo captures him spinning the ball on top of a pencil in his mouth, overlooking the awe-inspiring city of Paris.

The post A summer in Paris appeared first on News and Media.

Chau Nguyen grew up in Dalat City, Vietnam with her mother, stepfather, grandmother, sister, and brother. Her travels through the streets of Dalat gave Chau a constant reminder of the poverty in the city, especially among its many homeless children. As a girl, she remembers being scolded by her mother for stuffing her backpack full of rice and giving it away to less-fortunate children.

At the age of 14, Chau won a national contest in English, math, and literature. This gave her the opportunity to be the youngest person ever to participate in a foreign exchange program from Vietnam to the United States. Once the program ended, she knew she wanted to stay in the United States to complete her education.

Chau needed a host family that would be willing to send her to private school so that she could obtain a new visa. Over the period of the next three months, her mother worked the phones in Vietnam to call everyone they knew. Chau bounced around the United States, from Virginia to Indianapolis to Chicago, living out of a suitcase. She struggled to find hope in those days. “I would wake up in the morning and get dressed, and then at night I would wash the clothes, fold them up, and put them right back in the suitcase. It was a hard time.”

Finally, the Loadmand-Copeland family in Denver took her in. With their help, Chau was able to complete her first year of college.

Although Chau had scholarship offers from other schools, it was her experience with the admissions staff at Augsburg that made her decide to come to the Twin Cities. Marissa Machado, coordinator of international admissions, made Chau feel welcome on campus. “Marissa promised me that I could finish my major in four years and that I would be able to work and pay my way through school,” Chau remembered. “Every promise that Augsburg has given me since I entered has been fulfilled.”

During her junior year at Augsburg, a sudden trip to the hospital left her unable to work. Rather than give up, Chau went to see Jim Trelstad-Porter, Augsburg’s international student advisor. She explained her situation, and Jim helped her find other scholarships to close the gap for that year. That flexibility allowed Chau to complete her undergraduate program.

Recently, at Augsburg’s scholarship brunch, Chau spoke about how scholarships helped her through the last six years. She also explained why she hasn’t been able to visit home — Vietnam will not grant Chau an exit visa if she goes there. Plus, her mother is still in debt from the plane ticket that sent Chau to the United States. One generous donor was so moved by her story that he offered to purchase a ticket for Chau’s mother to fly to Minneapolis for commencement.

Now, after six years of challenges and uncertainty, Chau will be able to see her mother and celebrate their achievements together. Next summer, Chau will visit Vietnam and be reunited with the rest of her family. She then plans to pursue her MBA, with the ultimate goal of opening schools to educate homeless and abused children in Vietnam.

The post Mom's help + determination = degree appeared first on News and Media.