We’re asking students, recent grads, teachers, and counselors five questions on how languages play a role in shaping personal and professional success…
Meet Gunnar—a rising NWU senior with double majors in Political Science and International Business, and double minors in Mathematics and German.
1. What has motivated your undergraduate major and minor decisions as a student at Nebraska Wesleyan University (NWU)? Why are a foundation of language and cultural studies key to your aspired field?
A major reason that motivated me to major in International Business was my love of travel. I have traveled every year to various countries around the world, and the differences in culture are something that interest me greatly and continue to draw me to travel even more.
This major pushed me to study abroad for one semester as part of the program requirements—which ended up being a blessing in disguise. Knowing that whatever language I chose to continue or begin studying in college would directly connect to the country where I would be studying abroad was very motivating. My major also requires a minor in a language. Originally, I planned to continue studying Spanish, which I'd begun in high school, but for many reasons, I found that German was the language I wanted to begin learning in college: It turned out to be a fantastic choice.
Language and cultural studies are essentially the foundation of what I want my career to be. Working abroad in the State Department requires not only having these foundations, but also genuinely enjoying working with them, and I can certainly say that is the case for me.
2. What are some ways that you are using and boosting your German skills outside of the traditional classroom?
Traveling abroad in Germany helped me build close friendships with many people who obviously have German as their mother tongue. This has been a wonderful way to continue practicing the language by texting and calling them even after the experience, and it will also be a great point of contact when I travel back.
At my university, there is also a group that meets every Friday at 3 p.m. at a coffee shop to practice German. What is great about this group is that it invites anyone who is interested in speaking German in a real environment. Alumni, students from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, and others in the community sometimes attend. There is even a woman who studied abroad here at Nebraska Wesleyan who occasionally joins us over Zoom from Ingolstadt, Germany, where I studied abroad.
In addition to that, I use Duolingo, not as my main source of learning but as a way to pick up new vocabulary. Watching shows in German with German subtitles has also been helpful.
Overall, I try to take every chance I can to practice German, whether it is with friends outside of class or online. All of these small opportunities help build steady progress in learning the language.
3. Tell us about exploring the diplomatic and cultural scene in Washington, DC, this past summer: What types of events were you able to participate in while working in the city?
While working in Washington, DC, as an intern in the House of Representatives, I made it a goal to attend as many foreign affairs and diplomatic events as possible outside of work.
One of my favorite experiences was meeting with a diplomat from Singapore to the United States who is stationed in Washington. It was a very interesting experience to speak directly with someone in a position I may have the opportunity to interact with in the future and to better understand their world view.
Another opportunity I had was attending a discussion with a former ambassador to one of the countries of the former Soviet Union. This experience gave me a better understanding of the daily life of an ambassador at the highest level and the challenges that come with that role.
Being able to hear firsthand about the realities of work in diplomacy reinforced my interest in pursuing a career in foreign service and encouraged me to start building meaningful connections with people already working in the field.
4. We’re excited to learn more about your study abroad program! Would you encourage others to check out study abroad options at their schools?
Yes, the study abroad program was truly fantastic. I have spoken with many people who have studied abroad, and the answer is always the same: It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
For many, it is one of the only chances where you do not just travel somewhere, but actually live in another country and experience daily life there. That gives you the opportunity to understand the perspectives of people whose culture may be very different from your own. It is a real opportunity for personal growth, and anyone who takes it will come back more mature and with a broader understanding of the world. At my own university, I have spoken in front of students and shared presentations about my experience studying abroad.
During my time abroad, I also had the chance to meet with the Consul Generals at the U.S. Consulates in Frankfurt and Munich. I cannot emphasize enough how thankful I am for that opportunity. It was impressive to see professionals in that field who often speak five or more languages and spend their careers living and working all over the world.
Another highlight of the experience was traveling with the friends I made while abroad. For many of them, it was the first time they had ever met an American. We had a great time traveling across Europe together, often taking the cheapest options possible so we could experience as much as we could. It made the experience even more meaningful and is something I will always remember.
5. Looking back on your language learning experience, is there any advice that you’d like to share with your younger self (and other students)? What has most surprised you as a language learner?
One of the most important things I have learned during my language journey is finding a balance between persistence and genuine interest.
If I could give advice to my younger self, it would be that it is okay to change languages if you discover that the one you are studying no longer interests you.
That does not mean giving up after a short period of time, but if, after a long commitment, you realize another language motivates you more, it is okay to make that change. At the same time, language learning requires consistency and effort. Even on the days when you would rather not practice, continuing to work at it is important because steady progress comes from regular effort.
What has surprised me most about learning a language is how many opportunities can come from it. Beyond simply understanding another language, it opens doors to meeting new people, forming friendships around the world, and creating opportunities for travel and future careers.
The ability to communicate with people from different cultures is something that goes far beyond the classroom, and it is one of the most rewarding parts of learning a new language.
BONUS QUESTION: What’s next on your language journey?
To be honest, a year ago, I was planning on going into a field focused more on mathematics and physics, with an interest in working on space-related problems... Because of that, nothing is absolutely set in stone, and I remain open to different opportunities that may come my way.
In the short term, I am hopeful to intern in Washington, DC, again this summer and continue exploring a path in government and foreign affairs.
After graduation, I am considering several options. One possibility is continuing on to graduate school at a program such as the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies or a similar program focused on international affairs. Another option is going directly into the workforce in the foreign affairs field, including applying for the Foreign Service Officer Test. I am also very interested in programs like the German Bundestag program, where Americans have the opportunity to work with a representative in the Bundestag and gain firsthand experience with how democracy operates in Germany.
While the exact path is still developing, one thing I know for certain is that I will continue practicing my German so that I do not lose it. If I pursue a career in diplomacy or the Foreign Service, I also hope to continue learning additional languages as part of that journey.
Explore more student & recent grad voices across our blog. And, as always, visit @LangConnectsFdn on social media to share your story with us.