LB
Lauren Behrendt
  • Behrendt is majoring in early childhood education.
  • Class of 2015
  • Somerset, OH

Somerset Area Student, Lauren Behrendt, Participates in Germany Experience

2014 Aug 26

Somerset area student, Lauren Behrendt, participated in a three-week long trip to Germany with 16 other AU students as well as three Ashland University faculty members. This included a stay in Wittenberg as well as weekend excursions to nearby cities.

The group spent May 18 to June 7 in Germany and stayed at Colleg Wittenberg, an educational institution that partners with the university.

"We spent our academic days in Wittenberg, which included a number of evening lectures, and then took weekend excursions to nearby cities like Dresden, Leipzig, Weimar, Erfurt and Eisenach," said Dr. David Aune, chair of AU's religion department and director of the "AU in Germany" program.

Through Ashland's Global Passport Strategies, students participating in the "AU in Germany" program can also receive credit for their language requirements.

According to Aune, students take two courses as part of the program, with one week of instruction held in Ashland and three weeks in Germany. "All three of the courses this year -- 'Luther and the German Reformation,' 'Contemporary Germany' and 'Global Film' -- focused on some aspect of German history or culture," he said.

Aune was joined on the trip by faculty members Dr. Rene Paddags, assistant professor of political science, and Dr. Maura Grady, assistant professor of English. Paddags called the trip a great opportunity for students to "experience life abroad while engaging in serious academic studies."

Behrendt is majoring in early childhood education. She is the daughter of Marc and Barbara Behrendt of Somerset, OH. Behrendt is a 2011 graduate of Sheridan High School.

"When we first arrived, we knew where nothing was, didn't know how to communicate, and kept to ourselves. By the time we left, I was able to travel around by myself and communicate with the people," Behrendt said. Behrendt said that we hear about how countries are different from one another, but unless one travels there, it is hard to actually understand. "It's humbling learning that people live happily in ways that we are not used to and I believe it was a life changing experience," she stated. The other AU students participating in the program were Hunter Aims, Johnathan Benko, Hallie Carrino, Andrew Dailey, Pauline Dexter, Edie Henthorne, Danielle Himler, Janessa Huffman, Edward Hunt, Christa Kettlewell, Magdalene Laginya, John May, Martin Renemans, Kendal Stephens, J.T. Venus and Emily Wagner.

"The program, organized by the College of Arts and Sciences through the Global Education Office, is meant to give students an opportunity to experience another culture as well as appreciation for a different way of life," Aune said. "This gave them insight into German life as well as an opportunity to reflect on their own lifestyles and cultural awareness. Students also become more confident in facing new situations and learn to handle unexpected situations."

He said for some this was their first overseas experience and it introduced them to travel and gave them skills to travel on their own.

After two weeks of being in Germany becoming familiar with European travel, the students were given a free weekend to split up and travel to other locations in Europe. The students chose Frankfurt, Munich, Prague, Paris and Copenhagen.

As part of the program, students are required to write a narrative explaining their learning outcomes related to cultural differences and reflecting on their own life.

The trip also allowed students to gather information about their own academic majors.

"We tried to encourage students to make connections with their academic careers and understand the differences over there," he said. "For example, the fashion merchandising student connected with clothing retail locations, the business students paid attention to how businesses are run and what it takes to be successful, and the education students listened to a lecture on how education is done over there and how the school system operates."

The program celebrated its 10th year in 2014 and Aune, who has participated in the trip for the past three years, said this year's trip had many highlights.

"Of interest was the way that folks in Wittenberg are preparing for the upcoming 500-year anniversary of the Reformation in 2017," he said. "The preparations are underway already and as a result of the preparations, many churches were closed and being renovated for the upcoming event."

Aune said the weather was beautiful, which allowed for the group to ride bicycles through the town and over the river into country areas. "A couple of things the students recognized were there are very few cars in comparison to here in the U.S. with more public transportation and bicycles as well as a greater concern for renewable energy with more wind and solar power and recycling," he said.

"I think all of us really gained an appreciation for how the Germans have worked through some decades of difficult history to now be in a very good place," Aune continued. "The country is very stable and the economy and quality of life are actually flourishing."

Aune also noted the students were able to see an election for the European Union that was going on while the group was there.

"People appreciate the privileges we have as Americans. The Germans were asking about life in America and they want to know more about it. We actually become ambassadors for the country," he said.

Aune said the students were really able to interact with the local culture in Wittenberg. "Every Thursday evening our group participated in a conversation around the table with local folks who were practicing their English. In German it is called a 'Stammtisch'," he said.

Ashland University, which has been ranked in the top 200 colleges and universities in U.S. News and World Report's National Universities category, is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong, applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.