"I work at Applebee's and a German couple came in to eat and they didn't know any English. I was the only one who could understand what they wanted and make conversation with them."
-- Jackie Fulkerth, RHS Class of 2011 (German III, Germany Trip 2010)
-- Jackie Fulkerth, RHS Class of 2011 (German III, Germany Trip 2010)
"Traveling abroad to China for work. Ran into some German exchange students at the bar and I started laughing at
their jokes they were telling to each other. It caught them off guard that someone in the bar in China would understand them and we had a little bit of conversation after that.
My new job I start next week is for a company whose parent is in Germany. I might have to use the language professionally in the future because we apparently do a lot of work with each other."
-- Brian McPherson, RHS Class of 2003 (German III)
their jokes they were telling to each other. It caught them off guard that someone in the bar in China would understand them and we had a little bit of conversation after that.
My new job I start next week is for a company whose parent is in Germany. I might have to use the language professionally in the future because we apparently do a lot of work with each other."
-- Brian McPherson, RHS Class of 2003 (German III)
"We work with a lot of German suppliers that have only German Documentation, I used my German skills to translate them and be able use them in finding out how to use a certain item or process."
-- Monica Mitchell, RHS Class of 2001 (German IV)
-- Monica Mitchell, RHS Class of 2001 (German IV)
"As a social work major I will be dealing with many different cultures and ethnic groups, so having some experience with the language along with the culture of German-speaking countries and Germany... I could use my knowledge to better understand a client or speak to them without a language barrier!"
-- Carrie Krusiewicz, RHS Class of 2008 (German III, Germany Trip 2008)
-- Carrie Krusiewicz, RHS Class of 2008 (German III, Germany Trip 2008)
"While I was working at the hospital last year, I noticed one of my patients saying 'Opa' and 'Oma.' I went up to them and asked if they were speaking German and they were (they were from Germany)! I got so excited and I tried my best to speak to them in German, and they thought I did pretty good! haha I immediately thought of Frau and how much a retained from the class!! Even though I was not the greatest at speaking to them, just doing the best attempt will make patients feel a lot more comfortable because we are making the effort to speak their language!"
-- Andrea Johns, RHS Class of 2008 (German IV, Germany Trips 2006 and 2008)
-- Andrea Johns, RHS Class of 2008 (German IV, Germany Trips 2006 and 2008)
"I was doing my intership down in Disney and there were a lot of German guests who would need a translation or they were just impressed that I even knew German at all, it was fun. Another time I used German was when I was working at a golf
course and we would have these German golf clubs golfing, and it was cool because the more I spoke with them in German, I got bigger tips!"
Britta Turner, RHS Class of 2007 (German IV, Germany Trip 2006)
course and we would have these German golf clubs golfing, and it was cool because the more I spoke with them in German, I got bigger tips!"
Britta Turner, RHS Class of 2007 (German IV, Germany Trip 2006)
"While going to school, I'm working at a Marriott hotel in Pontiac that's mostly business; I have to speak German consistantly to give people directions, tell them about things in the hotel, etc. It comes in handy the most when connecting their laptops/phones to the Internet and I can do it all in German! Also helps I got A+ cert. in high school for computer repair, but the German helps a ton too."
-- Kevin Fruchey, RHS Class of 2009 (German II)
-- Kevin Fruchey, RHS Class of 2009 (German II)
"While going to school, I work as a bus boy at a local resturant here in Marquette. Every Friday I work, there is a German couple who comes in for hours, just sitting at the bar, speaking German, and drinking beer. I've always wanted to talk to them but I was nervous that I would totally blow it. One day I was chatting with my manager and that same couple was there. My manager says, "They come here every week and probably just talk sh@t about us the whole time, it's ridiculous." I then procede to walk up to the couple, and start a short, but confident German conversation with them. My manager was astounded."
-- Billy Manto, RHS Class of 2006 (German IV)
-- Billy Manto, RHS Class of 2006 (German IV)
"As a musician, German has figured increasingly into my life. I sang 'Silent Night' in German for a congregation of about 900 a few years back, and have now sung Mahler as well. Even for someone who did not study German formally, it has become part of my musical experience, and by extension my love of literature and poetry."
-- Brian Wigman, Oakland University Class of 2010
-- Brian Wigman, Oakland University Class of 2010
"When I worked at Bed Bath and Beyond, I was able to help a customer that had recently moved here with her new husband
and was still working through the language barrier. It made her feel more comfortable and I was able to help her get what she needed! ... I am not fluent, just used what I learned from you and from college."
-- Mary Barendreght, RHS Class of 2007 (German II)
and was still working through the language barrier. It made her feel more comfortable and I was able to help her get what she needed! ... I am not fluent, just used what I learned from you and from college."
-- Mary Barendreght, RHS Class of 2007 (German II)
"My first internship is working for a company that makes industrial filters and filtration systems. They're headquartered in Amberg Germany. I went to career fair at OU and dropped off my resume at their booth. They noticed my German background and that I was completing a minor in German Language and questioned my ability to speak and understand. A few days later they called me offering a job. The first thing I did was I translated a 30 page powerpoint from German to English (it was intense, the payoff was good, the CEO commented and said I did a great job).
I mostly translate documents from German to English and sometimes English to German, the documents are based on my company's technology and systems (these documents are very technical). I also interact with the server in Germany and email with workers. Not only am I using German but I also do Engineering work. So it's a double whammy!! The majority of my coworkers (here) speak German so we speak it from time to time."
-- Jackie Sinishtaj, RHS Class of 2007 (German IV)
I mostly translate documents from German to English and sometimes English to German, the documents are based on my company's technology and systems (these documents are very technical). I also interact with the server in Germany and email with workers. Not only am I using German but I also do Engineering work. So it's a double whammy!! The majority of my coworkers (here) speak German so we speak it from time to time."
-- Jackie Sinishtaj, RHS Class of 2007 (German IV)