Two Durham Tech University Transfer students increased their language skills, broadened their global perspectives, and had loads of fun last summer through Germany’s Work Immersion Study Program (WISP). This cooperative between the American Association of Teachers of German and German government sponsors selected 10 top community college students from across the United States for the all-expenses-paid work-study summer program.

At the suggestion of their German instructor, Svetlana Yokum, Lauren Quick and Julia McNeill filled out applications to WISP last January. Both had heard that German was a very difficult language but were surprised at how much they enjoyed it. Both students credit Yokum with preparing them well for the program. “She gave me confidence in my language skills. She made learning the language fun,” said Quick.  

Quick and McNeill left New York for Radlfzell, Germany, in June. For a month, they studied grammar and practiced their listening and speaking skills. After language classes, they began a two-month practicum. Quick moved to Stuttgart and worked on a music agency’s web site. She shared an apartment with a German pre-school teacher and a speech therapist. While in Stuttgart, Quick practiced her language skills, learned more about German politics, and made German cheesecake.

McNeill lived in the Black Forest town of Bad Liebenzell. She served as an assistant for a political science academy and helped out during an inter­national human rights forum. “I had no choice but to speak German much of the time because many of the people I worked with spoke no English,” she said. She worked and lived in a restored fortress built during the 13th century. One highlight was traveling to Berlin and visiting historical landmarks from Hitler’s time.

“The Germans were incredible. We made some good friends,” Quick said. “Participating in this program made you realize first hand that there are cultures and languages out there other than ours,” McNeill added.