Guilford in Austria, a College Tradition
Ian Stafford '18, Ian's wife, Eva, Dylan Mask ’20, and Caleb Bausman ’19 pose together outdoors in Austria after a recent hike.
"Each year since 1995, I have encouraged my German majors to apply for these scholarships. We've had one to three apply nearly every year, with a great success rate."
Five Guilford alumni are currently living, working, and learning in Austria. Meet Dylan Mask ’20, Jameson Lynch ’20, Caleb Bausman ’19, Nita Tyndall ’20, and Ian Stafford ’18.
By Natalie Whitmeyer '20
Guilford College prides itself in its excellent and expansive study abroad and exchange programs. The Office of Global and Off-campus Initiatives believes in the value of off-campus experiences, where an alternative location becomes a laboratory for academic, professional, personal, and cultural exploration.
One particular program — which has had a tremendous impact on many Guilfordians — is the Fulbright Program, an international exchange that works to strengthen relationships among individuals across the globe.
Professor of Modern Language Studies Dave Limburg, who teaches German at Guilford, has been leading study abroad programs for years. He says each experience brings new opportunities for student growth and learning. Many of his students graduate and head off to the Fulbright Program. In fact, 39 Guilford students have received this award with 22 heading to Austria.
“Each year since 1995, I have encouraged my German majors to apply for these scholarships. We've had one to three apply nearly every year, with a great success rate," Dave says. "Whether in Austria or Germany, the English Teaching Assistants and U.S. Teaching Assistantships (USTA) are a fantastic opportunity for recently graduated college students to live and work in a country whose language, literature, and culture they have been studying. They assist English teachers in German or Austrian high schools and have plenty of time to experience life in their communities and to travel, all with financial support to cover their cost of living for about a year."
Between their Guilford education and their time in Austria, these five alumni are absorbing a variety of experiences that they will turn to throughout their lives.
"It's wonderful to see all five of these amazing, recent German graduates living, studying, and working in Austria in the same year," Dave says. "All five achieved their majors in German after participating in our study abroad opportunities based in Munich, which range from a three-week experience to a full semester.”
Read on to learn more about their experiences.
Related link: Megan Zdon '21 is latest Guilfordian heading to Austria to teach and learn.
