“Just enjoy it. I think it’s the time of my life that I will always look back to, and even now that I’m still here, knowing that this is my last semester, I already start thinking about all the things that I’m going to miss. So, I think just enjoy it while you’re here and meet all the different people you can.

I’m Lisann, I’m from Kiel, Germany and my major is English with two minors in Spanish and sustainability studies. I’m in Sigma Tau Delta, which is the English Honor Society, I’m in women’s soccer and in the Connie Weimer Women’s leadership program.

I think our soccer coach, Tom Maxon, played a big part in my decision. Coach and B.J., who back then was an assistant coach, were really good at communicating. I also liked that he was originally from Germany, so I think that gave me and my parents safety.

Originally, I had already decided to go to another university, but then because I partially tore my ACL I didn’t go, and because of COVID the year after I thought I wouldn’t go to the US anymore. But then Tom and B.J. texted me again two years later, asking if I was still interested in coming in.

It’s tough to choose a perfect memory here. There were a lot of highlights like trips I went on with my friends. I remember freshman year going to Colorado with a big group, but also just, I think it’s just the small moments that make this place so special. I also just love coming to the library, drinking coffee, hanging out with friends, or staying in the caf for hours.

Currently I’m doing an internship at the Mary J Treglia Community House, it’s a resettlement agency, so they help refugees who come to the United States to get used to life in the US.

My part there is that I’m doing a cultural orientation with the refugees, that’s something that the government wants all refugees to do.  The course is all in Spanish and I have to cover specific topics about life in the US. It can be about employment, health, learning English or just a whole bunch of topics that help them understand what life here is like and how it might be different from the country that they come from.

It’s a different situation, I’m privileged, I decided to come here with my own choice and for them it’s totally different. But I had to get used to some of the things that they also have to get used to, so I for sure can use my own experiences.

I really enjoy helping people, like giving something back to those who have it harder. So, I think that was also a big part for me in choosing that internship, because I think I’m working towards a good cause.

Lisann Evert — embracing the journey from Germany to the US