Lily Hauptmann, BA’22, featured in honor of German Language Day
[The original feature appeared on A&S’s Instagram account]
Q: What is something interesting about you?
A: When I was seven, my family and I moved to Sweden for six months because of my dad’s sabbatical. Even though I was young, living in a different country afforded me with a grasp of the value of a broadened world view. This is part of the reason why I decided to continue my study of German throughout my years at Vanderbilt.
Q: Why did you want to come to Vanderbilt?
A: I came to Vanderbilt because I felt that it was a collaborative—rather than competitive— environment. Students seemed passionate about learning, and professors seemed willing and excited to teach their students. I also appreciated that the campus was situated in the heart of Nashville. To me, college was an opportunity to explore, both academically and via extracurricular activities, and Vanderbilt was the perfect setting to do this.
Q: What do you like most about the language?
A: It’s hard to pick just one thing I like the most about learning German! First, it has helped me better understand English grammar; perhaps unexpectedly, while my German skills have certainly improved since enrolling in German courses at Vanderbilt, these classes have also had an impact on my ability to communicate in English. I also appreciate that I’ve been able to look into the window of a different culture via learning German, and that I’ve had the chance to connect with people my age in German-speaking countries. The list goes on!
Q: What do you plan to do with your German degree?
A: Since COVID prevented me from studying abroad, I hope to go abroad to a German-speaking country in some capacity after graduation. Beyond that, I know I will continue to learn German, regardless of my future career.