I am an alumnus of the UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND AT COLLEGE PARK. I was a GERMAN MAJOR there.
Even after graduating from the university, until I left for Japan, I was still involved in several extracurricular activities, including the SPEAKING PARTNER PROGRAM. This is a program in which American students meet with International Students to help them to practice speaking English. This program is administered by the MARYLAND ENGLISH INSTITUTE (MEI), which is also on the College Park campus.
The German Department and MEI are both located in the COLLEGE OF ARTS AND HUMANITIES, which is one of the colleges at the university.
From 1996 until 2000, I was also a volunteer teacher of English as a Second Language in the Linkages to Learning Program, which was previously administered through the University's College of Education, in the Department of Human Development. Now it is run by the Montgomery County goverment.
I spent the 1995-1996 academic year on a one-year exchange program to Bremen, Germany, at the University of Bremen (UNIVERSITÄT BREMEN). The German Department (at the University of Maryland) sponsored this exchange. Although it terminated the program with Bremen, it still sponsors several other GERMAN EXCHANGES. However, these exchanges as well as all others at the University are ultimately overseen by the STUDY ABROAD OFFICE.
I am also an alumnus of the EPSILON MU CHAPTER of ALPHA PHI OMEGA. This is a coeducational community service fraternity, which does not engage in hazing of any kind. We take part in many projects to help the University and the local community, as well as the nation as a whole.
When I was a student, I also took part in miscellaneous clubs and activities, including the GERMAN CLUB, and the INTERNATIONAL STUDENT COFFEE HOUR, both of which are at the University.
When I was still a student, I was a conversation group leader for the LEARNING ASSISTANCE SERVICE at the University. I continued doing this after graduation, leading conversation groups in the evening once per week, up until I left for Japan. I also helped speaking partners in this program, in the same way as at MEI.
Before I went to college, I was a student at ST. ANDREW'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL. I was in the Class of 1989.
Before that, I was a student at MCLEAN SCHOOL OF MARYLAND, from sixth grade through ninth grade. I was in the Class of 1986.