High school students participate in German studies day at UA

"This day is a great opportunity to show high school students what we do in the department and to encourage them to continue their study of German," said Tom Kovach, German Department head.

Students participating in the event study German at Cholla, University/Rincon, Flowing Wells and Amphi high schools.

"It really impacted my decision to come to the UA," said Kelly Olmstead, a senior at Cholla. "I thought it was a great experience to learn about the classes and the campus."

Albrecht Classen, a University of Arizona German Studies professor, said he organized the event because the German language is fundamental in everyday life.

He said reaching out to local high schools to get them acquainted with the German Studies Department is crucial.

Classen said his department received $900 in grants and gifts from the German government, UA's College of Humanities, the Austrian Culture Institute, the Swiss Consulate, the German Consulate and Goethe Institute to make the day possible.

UA's German Studies Department is the only foreign language department to play host to such an event, he said.

At the event, students attended classes, went to the language computer lab and met department faculty and undergraduate students over lunch.

"I felt it was a great experience for the kids to get an idea about what college is all about and get a good feel for the campus," said Dora Mitchell, a University/Rincon High School German teacher.

University/Rincon High School sophomores Lindsey Humeny and Natalie Griffin said they participated in the classes and got a feel for how their German skills compare to those of college students.

"It was a good experience," Griffin said. "I will do it again next year."