For the second year in a row, a USI student will represent Evansville in the 27th International Summer Language School. The City of Osnabrück, Germany, in cooperation with the University of Applied Sciences of Osnabrück awarded a scholarship to one person from Evansville, Indiana. Evansville resident William Elfreich, a junior majoring in marketing with a minor in finance, is the recipient of this prestigious award, and will spend about a month in Osnabrück, Germany, this fall.
William Elfreich with Dr. Daria Sevastianova, associate professor of economics and study abroad coordinator
Conversations with an international student at USI motivated William to pursue this opportunity. “Last semester I had become really good friends with a foreign exchange student from the University of Osnabrück,” he said. “We talked extensively about the cultural differences and what it’s like to live and study in Germany. These conversations really sparked my intrigue into studying abroad, and once I saw this scholarship opportunity I knew I couldn’t pass it up.”
In addition to language instruction, the program includes social and cultural events, company visits, and excursions to other cities. Students at any level of German proficiency were encouraged to apply. Dr. Daria Sevastianova, associate professor of economics and study abroad coordinator, promoted this opportunity for USI. “It is great news that the winner of the German Language Scholarship is once again a USI student!” she said. “I am confident that William will represent the sister city partnership between Evansville and Osnabrϋck very well. We are grateful to the Osnabrϋck City Council and Hochschule Osnabrϋck for this opportunity.”
William values knowing more than one language and is aware of how critical it is for his career goals. “I really seek to work in international business, and seeing Germany’s growing global economy made me decide that German was the path for me. My last name, as well as my heritage, is predominantly German as well, so there is definitely an ancestry appeal along with the language.”
Last year, USI graduate Amanda Graham ’18, an economics and Spanish studies major, received the award.
Published May 6, 2019