By Natalie Whitmeyer '20

Editor's Note: These five Guilfordians are currently living, learning, and working in Austria via the Fulbright Program. To read more about them, visit the main Guilford in Austria, a College Tradition page.

Did you study abroad as a Guilford student?

• Dylan Mask: “I studied abroad during the fall semester of 2018 with the Guilford in Munich program led by Professor Don Smith. The most memorable part of my experience were the friends I made while abroad. I met my three best friends, and I am still very close with my host sister and her family.”
• Jameson Lynch: “Munich 2017 and 2019. I loved learning the German language and the many people I encountered.”
• Caleb Bausman: “I cannot forget the Munich semester, which is a rite of passage for German majors at Guilford. In 2017 I went to Germany with Lavon Williams, who used her experience in the study of sports to teach us about the Olympics. We also hiked through a beautiful gorge in Garmisch, ate at the monastery beer garden in Andechs, and visited the Disney Castle in Neuschwanstein.”
• Nita Tyndall: “I was able to do a shortened study abroad in Munich for five weeks that I absolutely adored. Three weeks were part of Dave’s Alp Dreams course, and then the final two weeks I did as an independent study on my own. I remember the confidence I felt at being able to communicate in German — confidence I absolutely got from taking Dave’s courses! Also just the awe I felt seeing everything and getting to learn so much about such a beautiful country.”
• Ian Stafford: “Munich, fall 2017. Becoming brothers with the guys I met in my group. Three-quarters of us are currently in Austria, and we see each other as much as possible.”

How did you find out about the Fulbright program? Tell us about your experience.

• Dylan Mask: “I first heard about the Fulbright programs from former Guilford students. I found the application experience challenging, especially because I was applying during the middle of the pandemic. I was also nervous as to whether or not I would be accepted. In the end I was accepted by both the Fulbright Austria and Fulbright Germany programs. When I accepted the Fulbright Austria teaching assistant program, they placed me in Freistadt, upper Austria. I’m still in my first year here, but I have really enjoyed my time here so far. All of the teachers and students have been so welcoming, and I’m glad that I was placed in this relatively small town.”
• Jameson Lynch: “I found out about the program through Dave Limburg, and the application process was made super easy because of all his help. It was hard to adjust to this experience, mainly because of COVID, but totally worth it.”
• Caleb Bausman: “Dave told me how many of his students and even his daughter had traveled to Germany and Austria to work as English teaching assistants through the Fulbright program. I decided pretty quickly that was the path I would take after graduation. The application process seemed overwhelming at first, but Dave helped me through it. Alongside Vance Ricks, he helped me through at least five drafts for each of my essays, trying to properly orient them toward what the program was looking for.”
• Nita Tyndall: “So! I had actually applied for a Fulbright in 2016 when I first graduated from UNCG, but I didn’t get it. Dave encouraged me to reapply after Guilford for the teaching program, and he made the application process super easy. I was able to get both the German and Austrian Fulbrights. I ended up choosing the Austrian program because I’d spent more time in Germany and wanted to experience Austria. I’m still here and so far it’s been exciting, if an adjustment period! We’ve gone back into lockdown now at the time of writing this, but the town I’m in is super beautiful and very reminiscent of North Carolina (just with more mountains.) With the lockdown I’m taking more time to just walk around the countryside and see things, which is incredibly peaceful.” 
• Ian Stafford: “Dave Limburg told me about it. He strongly encouraged me to participate. I knew it was something I desperately wanted to do so applying for it was no chore at all. The actual experience there was truly amazing. My schools and colleagues were incredible. Everybody made me feel at home, even those I did not work with. The students were great, and they always enjoyed getting to know me as a person, and not just going through the motions of a regular class. Also, financially, we earn plenty to fully experience Austrian culture as much as we want.”

Schedule your personalized visit to Guilford to learn more about the College's study abroad offerings. You can also begin your application or contact the Office of Admission for more information— 336.316.2100 or admission@guilford.edu.

Read about more Guilfordians in Austria.