Angie Hummel
Augustana Class of 2006

Hometown: Lakefield, MN
Majors: Psychology, Sociology, and German

Current Employer: Landschulheim Kempfenhausen, German Gymnasium
Current Position: English Teaching Assistant
Current Place of Residence: Do you want specifics, because letting everyone know that I actually live in the basement of the main school building could sound really embarrassing. So let's just say... on beautiful Lake Starnberg, situated perfectly between Germany's little, big village, Munich, and the Alps, which always guarantee a breathtaking view. You could say I live in a Bavarian fantasy land!

You graduated from Augustana last May. What have you been up to since then?
On September 11, I began my journey to Germany. Officially, I am working as an English teaching assistant, and unofficially, I am discovering what it means to be out in the "real world" where great life lessons abound. Undoubtedly this experience has provided me with new insight about how I want to live.

Tell us about your new job in Germany.
I work with teachers and students in and out of the classroom. It is viewed as important for students to hear a native speaker so most of my work consists of developing conversation skills, which can sometimes be a challenge with 6th graders just learning the language, but they are too cute.

Was it difficult to adjust to German culture?
Well, I realized I wasn't in the Midwest anymore when walking around the lake and receiving no greeting, just an awkward stare. In addition, I live in one of the wealthiest areas of Germany so being a minority in terms of income has been interesting to adjust to (but getting used to seeing beautiful BMW's, Audis and Mercedes wasn't too difficult!).

How is your German?
Wunderbar! Ja, es geht schon! Since my primary responsibility is to improve students' English, I am therefore forced to use English. But my speaking and comprehension skills have greatly improved. Whenever I speak with Germans they graciously complement me on my speaking abilities. I don't know if I should believe them, but it lifts my spirits. As long as you try, people notice.

Did Augustana's German Department prepare you?
Herr Lhotzky, being a native German, was instrumental in providing students with proper grammar instruction to know the language well. Not only that, but he was always encouraging students to study abroad, knowing our German would be enhanced in ways which textbooks, classrooms, and even conversation tables couldn't. Living in the countries where the language is used as a form of communication changes everything, and I have learned so much faster because of the constant exposure to the language.

Where have you been able to travel so far?
Many times to Austria since I have friends who have a home there. Berlin/Potsdam area, and of course Munich and around Bavaria. Bratislava, Prague, Spain (Barcelona, Seville, Madrid) soon Geneva (Switzerland), the Baltic Sea and Norway, more of eastern Europe (Poland, Hungary, Croatia) and finally Denmark and Italy, and oh, can't forget about the class trip to London in July (though I've already been there, this experience should prove to be quite interesting as a chaperone of 18 teenage girls!).

Do you have a favorite destination?
Every destination becomes a favorite!

What do you do in your free time?
Well, since I have quite a bit of free time, I travel, read, walk or run around the lake, listen to music (thank you God for iPods!), I love grocery shopping, journaling (it keeps me sane!), watching TV to keep up my German, Skyping (everyone needs to know about Skype!). And I don't think I have ever spent so much time in front of a computer screen before, but it is amazing how connected to the world I feel through Gmail!

What's your favorite German meal?
Easy to think of, but not that easy to spell, so let's make it really simple. Pretzels (and no, not Rold Gold) - Spatzle (basically bread noodles served with either cheese or yummy gravy), Apfelstrudel with Vanillesose (sooooo delicious!), and no German meal is complete without, you guessed it, a cold, but typically served warm, pint of beer! This combination leaves one satisfied for days!

Did you have study abroad experiences during your time at Augie? Did they help prepare you for life abroad?
Scotland/England over Spring Break with the Dr. Sandra Looney, and two interims which led me to Morocco and India; Though they were all meaningful life-changing experiences, which I am grateful to have had, my time living abroad has proven to be quite different from my travels.

Have your international experiences changed your perceptions about anything?
Oh wow, where do I begin? The world is big and we as humans are small. This doesn't mean our entities as little dots on the map don't play a major significance in other dots' lives. Whether it is on an international scale or on the campus of Augustana College, what we do greatly affects how others perceive us as fellow "dots". And since there are about 6 billion other dots in this world, it is impossible to avoid this phenomenon. Because of our constant contact with one another, the most important thing is which dots surround you. I have definitely learned from this experience that the location of life matters very little in comparison to loved ones. A wise Augie professor once said, "You can never run away from home." And though my intentions for this year were not to escape, I did have an almost boastful preconception that my life living in a foreign country would be constantly filled with excitement, adventure and a real sense of accomplishment to say I went somewhere! Wrong, wrong and wrong. Life can be all that wherever, and maybe more so when life is experienced with those we trust, seek comfort from, and love.

Would you encourage other students to study abroad?
YES! And, I am yelling through the computer screen so that students get the hint that if they do not see the world from a different perspective (which means they could travel to Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and attain the same experience... wink, wink!), they miss out on the opportunity to grow and become a more compassionate human. I honestly believe that Augustana should require at least one multi-cultural experience to allow students to really feel like an outsider. The greatest learning takes place when we are taken out of our comfort zones to realize the world beyond us.

What one piece of advice would you give prospective students who are interested in Augustana?
Do not be in any rush, enjoy your time as a student, the rest of your life is waiting to make money, buy cars and homes, get married, etc. Focus on the journey; the end eventually and sadly comes. Become a sponge to absorb, not memorize, knowledge which is trying to make you a better human. The decisions made now will certainly affect your life, but choosing a college is not the last decision you will make (breathe easy!). Take time to get to know yourself so making decisions remain true to who you are, not what you are expected to be or who you think you should be. Life does not wait for the "what ifs" so enjoy "what is". Remember that there are people to turn to who want to help and that you are never alone. Do not be afraid to ask questions. Learn the word empathy through all its experiences. Stress is normal, get used to it - laugh at it! What you think is monumental now will become something you look back at and regard as immature so don't let it turn you into a worry wart! Regard others before yourself. Love life, because it deserves to be loved.

Who was your biggest influence on campus?
The entire community. I love Augustana because of the people. After my injury last year, I realized how incredibly blessed I was to have so many who genuinely cared for my well-being. Every building on campus is filled with people who are willing to support and encourage. Without them, Augie would not be the same.

What do you miss most about Augustana?
Is it too cliché to say, "EVERYTHING"?!

What's next for you? Do you have any ultimate career goals or things you definitely want to accomplish in the future?
Oh man, the pressure! Just kidding, I stopped making 5-year goals a long time ago. As an idealist who usually has her head in the clouds, it is easy to envision multiple future lives, but then reality sets in and, well, what really matters to me right now is that my life consists of purposeful work, somehow making a difference in the lives of others. I want to help people, and I believe this simple goal will continue to lead me to places which need my help and that my life, over time, will have profound effects on the world around me and hopefully for the better. (I just had to throw one more tiny cliché in, but this is truly what I choose to believe and so far no regrets!). So next year is not going against my refusal to exact my future since I have already been applying for work in the Washington D.C. area. Sojourners magazine and the Lutheran Volunteer Corps are on the top of my list and both volunteer/internship opportunities would provide me with an experience to see how some of our country's least live in connection with our country's most powerful and elite. The incongruencies of life fascinate me so while my curiosity runs, I can still acquire hands-on work, assisting those who are in dire need of assistance. I think I decided at some point to gain as many experiences as I could in life so in the end, I could say I tried to understand, to comfort, to listen, to share, to give what I could. Whatever service or calling awaits me, I know what I have done in the past, and what I am currently doing will affect my future. My dad always says, "It'll all work out," and it usually does. Maybe not exactly how we pictured it, but then again, surprises are meant to be fun, and I am excited for the next journey.