Haleigh Staugler
Education Abroad
For my STEP signature project, I participated in the German department’s annual Dresden Study Abroad Program. For eight weeks I lived in a dorm in Dresden, Germany and took classes on the German language and history of Dresden, while also taking field trips and learning about the surrounding cities.
Living in a different country (and especially in the part of the country that barely spoke English) for an entire summer thrusted me out of my comfort zone. I left the USA for Germany without confidence not only in my German, but in myself, my opinions and my mistakes to some extent. But slowly throughout the summer, with the help of my classmates, my professor and the citizens around me in my newfound home, I began to respect myself and my mistakes more and more. I am no longer as afraid to say something incorrect, so long as I know it is how I will learn to be better. Germany’s history and language also taught me a lot about humanity and myself and how everyone’s lives intertwine in the world.
The number one relationship that helped my summer become transformational was my program director Dr. Kevin Richards. Kevin was always enthusiastic about learning and teaching us the history of the dynamic country we were in. Whether we were having round table discussing in our class or hiking up a mountain in the pouring rain, Kevin was always right there encouraging us to make the most of our experience. On more than one occasion Kevin made remarks to me personally that pushed and challenged and encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone not only on the trip, but in my daily life. Without Kevin, I never would have played on a street piano in Berlin or been excited to write a paper on post-Napoleonic Prussia, but through his thoughtful example, his graceful acceptance of his mistakes, and his dedicated resolve to make the best experience for everyone, the transformation I experienced on the trip became long lasting.
My other classmates and now friends that accompanied me on the trip were just another piece that fit into the transformation I experienced over the summer. None of us knew any of each other when we arrived in Dresden beyond sitting by each other in a class here or there. By the end of the trip we had seen each other through a lot. Countless bed bug scares, figuring out the bus schedule to our classroom, speaking to strangers in a language we barely knew: we all were by each other’s side through all of it. German class definitely improved my German, but the number one factor I believe in my improvement was the atmosphere we built in the trip that allowed us all to not be ashamed of when we would make mistakes and to encourage each other to always try again. Having that kind of support system on the trip was invaluable and led to an effortless transformation in my life and confidence.
A personal incredibly transformational experience on the trip for myself was the Friday night we were in Berlin. When I arrived in Berlin on Thursday, I learned that the musical Ghost was currently running. After a quick investigation of my suspicions, I was excited to find out my favorite stage actress of all time Willemijn Verkaik was playing the leading role in this musical. I had my worries about how much I would understand of the musical in German, but Kevin encouraged me to go anyways, seeing as it was so important to me. My friends–who didn’t want to spend the money to see it–offered to ride the train with me to the theater and to meet me when it was over so I wouldn’t be traveling in Berlin alone. And so with the support of everyone there, I built up the courage to go see my favorite actress in a musical I barely knew in a language I barely knew. As it turned out, my German understanding was much better than I anticipated and was able to understand everything in the show. Not only that, however, but when my friends came to meet me at the end, they eagerly agreed to wait with me at the stage door for the chance to meet Willemijn Verkaik. They all took pictures and videos of me having a whole conversation with my idol in German, and it was by far one of the best experiences of my life. But it was also a defining moment for me on the trip because going into it, without everything I learned on the trip and without the support of everyone on the trip, I’m not sure if I would have ever had that experience. And after I understood a whole musical and talked to my favorite actress in a foreign language, my confidence in my skill was at a new level.
Confidence is a skill that will always be useful. As an engineering major, confidence is one of the fundamental skills I have to learn how to use constantly, especially as a woman in engineering. Learning more about respecting myself and having confidence in myself, as well as creating bonds with people that grant me undoubted support so I can continue to develop these skills, is a transformation that is invaluable.
German Department’s Dresden 2018 Blog: https://u.osu.edu/dresdensummerprogram2018/2018/07/07/welcome/