We’re asking students, recent grads, teachers, and counselors five questions on how languages play a role in shaping personal and professional success…
Meet Max—a Nebraska Wesleyan University graduate who holds a Bachelor of Arts in Modern Language Studies and studied abroad at the Technical University of Dortmund, Germany.
1. You realized early on that you enjoyed puzzling together languages. What are some ways that you started to practice and explore languages outside of the traditional classroom during high school?
I realized I loved learning world languages in high school when my best friend and I would speak Spanish together at lunch. When I started to learn German as well, I realized I had a gift for language and I began to seek out music, video games, and social media in German.
Working as a lifeguard, I would speak with patrons while on break as a way to make new friends and learn other languages; I loved seeing their smiles when I greeted them in their native language.
2. As an undergraduate you combined your interests in German with Biochemistry at Nebraska Wesleyan University (NWU), leading to work with LI-COR Environmental. Why do languages and STEM make a great pairing, and what's next on your language journey?
I am currently employed as a German translator for LI-COR Environmental, a manufacturer of environmental measuring equipment. The position combines my interests in STEM and German, allowing me to fit into a niche for my skill set. In order to translate assembly processes, I must first understand the context in English before I can find the vocabulary necessary to translate into German.
In recent news, I have just been hired as a contract Spanish and German medical interpreter!
3. We’d love to hear more about your involvement with NWU’s I-Pal Program and International Relations Organization. What types of resources does this program provide, and what has been your favorite part of connecting with international students?
At Nebraska Wesleyan University the international exchange students are assigned an I-Pal (international pal). An I-Pal functions as a liaison and guide to help the exchange student acclimate to life in the U.S.
During my first year at Wesleyan, most of my friends were exchange students and part of IRO (International Relations Organization). I loved the I-Pal program and IRO because they put cultural exchange into the hands of students who got to vote on the events we thought would be good to represent the United States. The exchange students also made presentations about their home countries, which meant we got to learn a lot from them through this initiative as well.
4. Have you explored other ways to put your language skills to use? Any tips for students seeking ways to incorporate “real life” practice into their routine?
Do what you do in your native language in a second language!
While I was looking for employment, I found that many jobs were seeking bilingual candidates. The ability to speak a second language immediately makes you more eligible for a wide variety of careers. To incorporate language practice into your routine, my motto has always been “do what you normally do in your second language as well.”
If you scroll TikTok, add your second language to your settings. If you watch movies, turn on the language’s sub or dub. Seek out native speakers, and don’t be afraid to talk—they’re usually thrilled that you’re learning their language and it’s a great way to make new friends.
5. You have mentioned that studying abroad marked an important shift in your perspective: What would you say was your biggest takeaway or lesson learned from that experience?
My experience studying abroad in Dortmund, Germany, was eye-opening. The STEM courses I took there would have been difficult enough in English, but in German my brain was working overtime to make sense of everything. It gave me a large amount of respect for the immigrants who come to the U.S. and have to work twice as hard to learn in their second language.
While I lived there, I made many friends who were also international students. We became friends in arms as we were all experiencing the anxiety of living in a new country.
BONUS QUESTION: Have you got a favorite German word or expression? What is it, what does it mean, and why did you choose it?
Doch is a German word that acts as a negation to a negation. It clears up the confusion that comes with answering a negative statement.
For example, in English, if someone asks you, “You didn’t do the homework this weekend?” and you answer “No”—does that mean “No, I didn't do the homework,” or “No, I did do the homework”?
In German, answering “Nein” (no) means “No, I didn’t do the homework"; answering “doch” (no, the opposite) means “Yes, I did do the homework.”
Explore more student & recent grad voices across our blog. And, as always, visit @LangConnectsFdn on social media to share your story with us.