Academic Year Abroad (AYA) in Austria

Guest Editor: Dr. Geoff Howes

The academic year 2023-2024 was another thrilling chapter in our AYA Salzburg program! We are delighted to announce that our relentless efforts to revitalize the program have borne fruit, transforming it into a success! Over 80 students had the chance to join us in Salzburg for a year, semester, and our newly extended summer program.  

Our new pathways and university partnerships are now in place, and we are proud to have the unwavering support of BGSU administrators for our marketing plan and intensive recruiting efforts. Their backing has been instrumental in our success, and we look forward to continuing this fruitful partnership.  

This year, we welcomed Political Science, History, Music Performance and Education, Computer Science, Education, Communication Studies, International Studies, and Art History, but also majors in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Tourism, Psychology, Pre-Med, Pre-Law, and Environmental Studies. For our students, we meticulously examine all English classes offered in these areas and match them with BGSU-offered classes. We ensure that students in all fields proceed toward their graduations without losing time toward their degree. This is enormous work for us, but we are happy to be providing so many students with a chance to study abroad! As for the partnerships, we had students from the University of Delaware, University of Idaho, Ohio State University, Denison University, University of Toledo, University of Kentucky, Florida Gulf Coast University, University of Florida, University of Cincinnati, and Bloomsburg University (Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania). We are currently working on new partnerships with universities where we have alumni among the faculty members. So, stay tuned! 

This summer, thanks to a generous donor to the College of Musical Arts, we also implemented a new general education course called MUCT 2220. We cannot thank CMA Dean Prof. Bill Mathis enough for the excellent collaboration in establishing this new opportunity for the students. The course explored the convergence of politics, history, religion, and the arts during four significant turning points in world history between 1900 and 1945 in Germany, Austria, and Central Europe. It was built around several field trips to political, historical, and cultural sites. The group trips included Munich, Dachau, Vienna (4 days!), Bad Ischl, Berchtesgaden, and several small towns near Salzburg and the Austrian Alps. During these trips, the students visited museums and participated in educational city tours, concerts, and several other cultural events. I can only say (with a hint of pride) that it was a huge success—and due to this course—53 students participated in our new summer program! We even had a professional music concert put on by our music performance majors Luke Blake, Sydney Shook, Trinity Hines-Anthony, and Deja Jennings. Literally, the hills were alive with the sound of music!

We consider ourselves lucky that Cecilia Castellano, Vice President for Enrollment Management at BGSU, and Ellen Schendel, our Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, visited us in Salzburg in July and hatched out plans with us. Due to their ideas, we can really take full advantage of the potential of our program! We are so excited to have more support for the upcoming years—maybe even have some extra staff for us in Salzburg?  

We might be exhausted from the new developments—but we could not be happier to see how the program is growing. I cannot say thank you enough for your support, as we will always try to help more students have the chance of their lifetime in Salzburg! Unfortunately, we will not be able to attend Homecoming this year, due to its later date, but we will stay in touch with you soon via emails and on Facebook. The next year´s slogan will be “Mut tut gut!” I leave the translation to you. This was the wording of an art installation in Salzburg this summer, along the Salzach River. Check out the pictures…

AYA-Salzburg alumni gather on Shatzel Hall porch for the 2023 Homecoming Reunion Brunch

By Lisa Lipcaman (AYA 1980-81)

Perfect weather once again greeted the AYA Salzburg alumni gathered on Shatzel Hall porch for their annual Reunion Brunch on Saturday, September 23, during BGSU’s 2023 Homecoming. This year’s well-attended event featured Thomas J. Miller (AYA 1988-89) as guest speaker. Tom’s talk focused on how his study abroad experience in Salzburg changed his life and led him to become, among other things, a beer and wine critic and mystery writer. Highlighting his personal trajectory, Tom credited the confidence, the language skills, and the ability to navigate life in Europe gleaned during his time in Salzburg as decisive to his success. Reading excepts from his first novel An Oktoberfest Death, Tom shared how some of his characters had origins in Salzburg as well.

AYA Director Dr. Ivett Guntersdorfer updated the alumni on the new pathways in the Salzburg program and introduced her assistant, Carolyn Gardner, to the group. Freddie and Frieda Falcon stopped by the porch, as did BGSU President Dr. Rodney Rogers and Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Mr. Marcus Sherrell.

The AYA-Salzburg alumni reunion finished the day in habitual fashion at Arlyn’s Good Beer.

Celebrating Five Years of the BGSU-AYA Salzburg Alumni Group!

By Brett A. Porter (AYA 1983-84), AYA Alumni Group Coordinator

On behalf of the AYA Salzburg Alumni Group, I would like to thank everyone, including alumni, friends, faculty, and students for their active participation and continued support of the AYA Salzburg program!  

Since our group’s founding in May 2019 (much of this time spent during the COVID pandemic!), we have not only firmly established ourselves as an effective alumni group but also exceeded expectations for our group’s work on behalf of the AYA Salzburg program.   

We have published five alumni newsletters, hosted four alumni reunions (2020 was cancelled due to COVID), selected four honorary board members, doubled the size of fundraising, created an alumni database with over 1500 names, expanded alumni engagement, endowed one new scholarship fund for summer study abroad, reimbursed numerous students for language proficiency testing, contributed to students in need, and most recently founded the new AYA Salzburg Alumni Archive for Study Abroad (see related article).  

To our wonderful guest editors: Dr. Margy Gerber and Dr. Geoffrey Howes, a very special acknowledgement for editing our group’s annual alumni newsletter, and for those who contributed articles and photos highlighting our events—especially at Shatzel Hall and Arlyn’s Good Beer.

Thanks to all who help make each annual alumni gathering such a great success!

Thanks as well to our four honorary board members for lending a guiding hand to our group, acting as guest speakers, and for sharing their literary works at each of our alumni brunches.

Thank you to Rhonda K. Westerhaus for establishing a new scholarship for summer study abroad (in honor of her mother) and to those who contributed so generously to help her fund reach the endowed level!   

A very special shout-out to the Foell and Koepke families, members of “Die Gruppe,” and donors for endowing each of the other three scholarship funds!  

The four AYA scholarships have collectively doubled since our group’s founding, leading to an increased number of stipends to students for use during their study abroad in Salzburg. Scholarships often make all the difference for many students, so thanks to everyone for your continued support!

Congratulations to all of our students in Salzburg who have passed their language proficiency exams!

Thank you, alumni, for stepping up and donating food cards to help students in Salzburg during their time of need.

I am happy to announce that over 55 years of AYA Salzburg program history will now be preserved in its own collection as part of the BGSU University Archives!

Finally, I am also pleased to announce that the AYA Salzburg program is “back” and stronger than ever—thanks in part to all of you!

Announcing the new AYA Salzburg Alumni Group Archive

By Brett A. Porter (AYA 1983-84), AYA Alumni Group Coordinator

The Academic Year Abroad (AYA) Salzburg Alumni Group Archive is now a reality! Historic documents and materials highlighting the story of the Bowling Green State University (BGSU) AYA Salzburg Alumni Group and programs in Austria are now being housed in their own special collection within the BGSU University Archives. Program newsletters, meeting minutes, and memorabilia such as lapel buttons, T-shirts, “swag,” etc., are just some of the first items to go into the archive.

The collection will not only preserve over 55 years of the program’s existence but also serve as an historical reference tool for anyone wishing to do research in the area of study abroad.

Records reflecting students’ experiences during their time in Salzburg and the impact of study abroad since that time will also be a primary focus of the collection.

Other archivable items may include (but are not limited to) flyers, brochures, posters, blog posts, newsletters, letters, email, essays or other written works, photographs, audio recordings, video recordings, schedules, and itineraries. BGSU archives maintains both print and digital records.

More specifically, Alumni Group leadership is interested in locating program brochures, orientation packets, and any student rosters for each year of the program’s existence.

A special thanks to BGSU Head Librarian Michelle Sweetser and Archivist Jennifer Long Morehart for their assistance in establishing the AYA Salzburg Alumni Group Collection!

Alumni with questions about the collection or who are interested in donating materials from their study abroad in Salzburg may contact either the AYA Salzburg Alumni Group via email at ayasalzburgalumnigroup@gmail.com or the BGSU Center for Archival Collections at cac@libanswers.bgsu.

Access to the collection is available in-person during normal business hours, 5th Floor, William T. Jerome Library, BGSU.

Supporting the BGSU Study in Austria Programs

Descriptions of the Four AYA Scholarship Funds

The oldest, the Dzidra Shllaku Scholarship Fund, was founded in 1998 by former students of Dr. Shllaku to support undergraduate BGSU students in all majors for study abroad in Salzburg. Endowed in 2003, the fund provides an annual spendable amount to award as scholarships. Since 1998 more than 170 BGSU students have received a Dzidra Shllaku Scholarship award. The amount available for distribution for the 2024-2025 year was approximately $16,027.

The Foell International Travel Award Fund was created by Darrell W. and Sally M. Foell in memory of his mother, Margaret Kaesmann Foell. The endowed fund supports students for study with BGSU’s AYA Austria program and is based on merit. The fund yielded approximately $6,600 for scholarships in 2024-25.

The Galen and Katja Koepke Study Abroad Scholarship was established by the Koepkes in 2016. The endowed fund supports BGSU undergraduate and graduate students. The first scholarship was awarded for the academic year 2016-17. For 2024-25, approximately $3,000 were available for distribution.

The Rhonda K. Westerhaus Scholarship for Professional Development was established in 2021 by AYA alumna Rhonda Westerhaus (1980-81). The fund is intended to support K-12 and community college teachers attending BGSU’s summer program in Salzburg. The sum of $1,000 was awarded for summer 2025.

How to Donate

If you would like to contribute to one or more of these funds, it is easy to do:

You can donate by check:

Include the name of the fund to which you want to donate and mail to:
BGSU Foundation, Inc.
1851 N. Research Dr.
Bowling Green, OH 43403

Or you can donate online:

     It couldn’t be easier ­– here’s the link: bgsu.edu/giveayasalzburg

The four scholarships for study in Salzburg:

• Dzidra Shllaku Scholarship
• Foell International Travel Award
• Galen and Katja Koepke Study Abroad
• Rhonda K. Westerhaus Scholarship for Professional Development

The following students received stipends from the AYA scholarship funds to study in Salzburg in 2024-25.

Luke Blake

Brooke Brobst

Jordan Clark-Banks

Ally Durbin

Brian Edmond

Sinjin Estell

Annabelle Fyke

Meredith Gulla

Luke Helter

Rachel Hermer

Leah Hetman

Sarah Higginbotham

Adara Hildebrandt

Shivani Pallerla

Grace Rooney

Hannah Smith

Ryan Staltaro

Evelyn Taylor

Dat Vu

Alexander Waltrich

Carissa Zirbel 

A Tribute to Darrell Foell

By Kristie Foell, Associate Professor of German

Darrell Foell passed away on Saturday, September 21, at the age of 89. He and his wife, Sally, established the Foell International Travel Scholarship to honor his mother, Margaret Kaesemann Foell.

Dad was a first-generation college student. Family lore has it that his father, whose native language was German, only attended school through the eighth grade! His mother, Margaret (Margarethe), finished high school and had some secretarial training. Dad graduated from the University of Cincinnati as a co-op student majoring in accounting, living at the YMCA to save money for at least part of his student years. He then completed law school at UC and went on to a career that encompassed university teaching, military service, private practice, and ultimately his specialization in labor law, working for Dow Corning in Michigan and then for Universal Foods in Wisconsin.

As a labor lawyer, Dad often enjoyed the union members more than the upper management. He taught us that unions are a necessity; without them, working people are powerless, especially against large corporations. He saw his task as making sure that union demands didn’t endanger the finances of the companies he worked for. When the faculty at BGSU unionized, Dad’s advice to me was, “Good! Join the union, make sure admin knows you’re in the union--but do not ever volunteer for the union, because they will take all your time!” I’ve heeded his advice!

When Dad first called me about setting up a scholarship at BGSU, it was partly because he needed to take required distributions from his IRA. I imagine that in his tax bracket, it didn’t really cost him much to give that money away and take a deduction for it, rather than paying taxes on it. Something for other potential senior donors to think about!

The scholarship became our constant topic of conversation during his final years. He would ask me, “should I donate again this year?” I always said “yes, please,” knowing that the availability of scholarships for study abroad greatly aids in our recruiting for the program. Many students would not be able to attend without scholarship support, and it was my delight to share with him success stories of our graduates going on to successful careers both here and abroad.  

I always felt that my parents’ support of the AYA program was also support of me and my work, and I hope that others will consider contributing to the Foell Travel Scholarship or other AYA scholarship funds. I know I will continue to contribute in honor of him, as well as my grandmother.

Remembering Professor Joseph L. Gray III  

Professor Joseph Gray passed away on April 29, 2024. Generations of Bowling Green State University German students and AYA participants will remember him as the chair of the German and Russian Department, later German, Russian and East Asian Languages. Dr. Gray could always be found in his office, his ever-present pipe in hand, always ready to listen and help, smiling, interested.

For those who knew Dr. Gray as professor and department chair during his many years at BGSU, here is a short biography, unknown to many:

Dr. Gray was born on July 31, 1929, in Lynchburg, VA. He graduated from high school in 1946, then served in the U.S. Air Force from 1946 to 1949, including a two-year tour in Guam, achieving the rank of Sergeant. Upon his return, Joe studied at Washington and Lee University, graduating with a B.A. in 1953. He earned his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. He was a Fulbright Scholar and a Goethe-Universität Fellow and studied at the Universities of Munich and Tübingen. In Germany, he volunteered to help build houses for East German refugees and at a work camp for a land reclamation project.  

Joe first taught briefly at the University of Illinois, DePaul University, and Dubuque University, before joining the German Department at The Ohio State University in 1965.

In 1970, Joe joined the Department of German and Russian at BGSU. During his tenure as department chair, the department expanded its language offerings and became known as the Department of German, Russian and East Asian Languages; the M.A. program in German was added in the early 1970s, and the AYA program in Salzburg flourished, adding a graduate year abroad and the dual M.A. program. In 1978-1979, Joe directed the AYA Program in Salzburg.

Joe retired from BGSU in 2003 and moved to Lakewood, near Cleveland, to spend his retirement years. He passed away there shortly before his 95th birthday. He is survived by his two sons, Jason and Jonathan, his brother, Stedman Gray, and his three grandchildren, Caroline Gray, Joseph Gray, and Lauren Gray. His wife, Pamela, predeceased him.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Department of World Languages at BGSU (Joseph L. Gray German Scholarship).

Former directors Drs. Geoff Howes and Christina Guenther were able to wend their way back to Salzburg in early May, where they joined Dr. Ivett Guntersdorfer to take part in the tribute that Manfred’s colleagues at the Literaturarchiv Salzburg organized for him on May 3, 2024. Held at the beautiful Edmundsburg on the Mönchsberg, the ceremony was a true delight and included a long list of speakers and artists who showcased Manfred’s many creative engagements within the university and beyond.  

The ten speakers at the event included former rector of the Paris Lodron University of Salzburg, Dr. Heinrich Schmidinger, and Manfred’s successor at the Literaturarchiv, Dr. Lina Zangerl. Viennese pianist Georg Vogel set the mood with his experimental keyboard pieces, and Austrian author Bodo Hell regaled us with a comical verbal riff on Manfred’s achievements and personality.  

The other speakers included short and amusing anecdotes. In her capacity as official representative of BGSU, Christina Guenther presented Manfred with a special gift from BGSU—a glass vase crafted by MFA student Sonia Whitehead, wife of Provost Joe Whitehead. Dr. Marcia Salazar Valentine, Executive Director of International Programs and Partnerships, chose this fitting gift to serve as a token of gratitude and symbol of the creative bond between our universities.  

Christina also presented President Rodney Rogers’ letter of congratulations and then shared an anecdote about Manfred’s resilience and adaptability: on his way to BGSU one summer where he was to serve as keynote speaker at a German teachers’ workshop, he lost his luggage, including his lecture notes and the film he planned to show. Never at a loss, however, he masterfully improvised throughout the week, even agreeing to wear one of Christina’s flowery shorts and a t-shirt at the reception in his honor. That was ein Bild für die Götter—quite a sight!  

Very best wishes to Manfred Mittermayer and many thanks, too! The Bernhard quote above is particularly apt: we know that he will continue to share his talents in Salzburg and abroad. We hope to welcome him back to BGSU in the near future!

Larry Hansgen (AYA 1976-77) is the newest Honorary Member of the Alumni Board. Larry joined the staff of WHIO Radio in Dayton, Ohio, in 1981 and has been the host of Miami Valley’s Morning News since 2003. He is the play-by-play voice of University of Dayton basketball and football and contributes to the Dayton Daily News and WHIO-TV. He is a certified personal trainer and a local stand-up comedian. Larry lives in Washington Township with his wife, Laura, son Alex, and daughter Andrea. He was interviewed by Geoff Howes.

Tell us about your time at BGSU.

I enrolled and declared a Radio-TV-Film major with a minor in German, but by the time my fall quarter was finished, I knew that I wanted to continue to take German classes at every opportunity, and hence decided on a double major. It was actually not too hard to “juggle,” since my German classes were the electives for my RTVF major and vice versa. 

I knew that I wanted to spend a year abroad and made that decision during the winter quarter my freshman year. I met with a counselor to see what I needed to do to stay on track to graduate if I went to Salzburg as a sophomore. He was a little taken aback, saying he had never had someone ask him about a path to graduation that early. Taking advantage of the offerings in Salzburg and taking full, but not overly full loads, I actually graduated a quarter early, without going in the summers!

While in Salzburg, I saw a note on the bulletin board about tryouts for the Uni basketball team. I was an intramural caliber player and showed up. There was a limit of 3 Americans on the roster. One was the player-coach and a second was an obvious choice, having played junior college ball in the U.S. So, the coach had a decision to make between me and one other “Ami.” He had us shoot free throws. Best out of ten makes the team. I made 8. He made 7! 

Being part of the Uni team, and playing in a tournament in Innsbruck as well as one we hosted, introduced me to players who invited me to join their club team as well. Jim Singh, who was part of our group, said: “Hey, you can run and jump. Have you ever played volleyball?” So, he introduced me to the sport, and I played that as well in Salzburg for a club team. 

When I got back to BG as a junior, I was in the old Men’s Gym playing basketball, and I saw some guys playing volleyball. I went over and asked if I could play. One guy responded curtly, “Hey, man we’re the club team!” So, I asked who the coach was, did a brief tryout, joined the team that night, and played my final two years. I was actually all-conference my senior year. 

I have so many memories of instructors at BGSU, but three of them truly stand out. One is Dr. Margy Gerber, who was my director in Salzburg and made that such a memorable year. Another is Dr. Klaus Schmidt (aka Übermensch), who was someone I spent a good deal of time with away from the classroom. I worked for him on his projects as a Faculty Union leader, and we played racquetball. I never beat him, but I was able to at least give him the workout that he wanted. And there will be forever a soft spot in my heart for Dr. Shllaku, who was my first instructor as a freshman and instilled in me a zeal to learn German. Plus, she helped teach me to be a gentleman!

You’ve been with WHIO for 43 years, so there must be lots to tell.

I have been truly blessed. I began at an absolute entry level position and now have hosted the morning show since 2003. Through the entire time I have been broadcasting University of Dayton sports and even spent a brief time in management. The highlight has been the chance to impact the community, as well as the people I have met and the places I have been, including my involvement in an exchange program with a burgeoning Russian radio station in 1995, which allowed me to spend two weeks there mentoring broadcasters.

How did you get into standup comedy?

In 2010, the Dayton Flyers won the NIT, and the following week there was a pep rally on campus at which I was the emcee. Afterwards, someone approached me and said, “you’re funny.” That prompted me to try an open mic at a local club. It went well, so I did another… and bombed. Not wanting to end on a sour note, I applied myself and it has since turned into a fun little hobby.

I see from Facebook that you took your son to Salzburg this spring.

He and his sisters have heard me talk about Salzburg, literally their entire lives. When I asked him what he wanted to see and do on our trip, he simply said he wanted to see the places I had talked about. He enjoyed seeing my old dorm, the Schwarzes Rössl, as well as shopping along the Getreidegasse, Sunday mass in the Dom, and two trips to Augustiner Keller!

How did a year abroad influence your later personal and professional life?

I stand behind my statement that my year in Salzburg was life-changing and made me who I am today. I matured, as I was truly living on my own without a family net to catch me, but beyond that I found out who I was. I was the youngest member of our group, just 19 when I arrived. 19-year-olds in the U.S. in 1976 cared more about “what” they were, than “who” they were. What you wear, what music you listen to, what you look like is how you were judged by your peers. Upon arriving in Salzburg, my soon-to-be Austrian friends cared little about that. At first standoffish, they were taking their time judging me by my character, not my veneer. In addition, that year taught me to take risks, not those involving potential bodily harm, but rather emotional risks, putting myself “out there.” Plus, is there a better endorsement for education than improving one’s language skills day-by-day?

Margarethe Karl-Goodwin and Brad Goodwin (AYA 2004-05) 

Margarethe writes: We met in Bowling Green, after Brad had returned from Salzburg. Margarethe was working on an M.A. in English literature and Brad was finishing his M.A. in German Studies. We both worked in Shatzel Hall and kept finding opportunities to bump into each other. At the very beginning, we were both in previously existing relationships and first developed a friendship. When our other relationships ended, we spent several months trying to set each other up to date our friends. It took another BGSU alumnus to tell Brad, "Actually, I think she likes you!" and for Brad to realize what was already obvious to others: that we were crazy about each other. Margarethe also tried to "set" Brad up with another student. Really, we both liked each other so much that we were trying to find ways to make each other happy.

We've gone through several phases of apart-ness over the course of our relationship. The first time was when Margarethe went back to Austria after completing her M.A., to start a job at the University of Innsbruck. We wanted to stay together but had to arrange our lives for that to be possible. Brad stayed in Bowling Green for the summer, working a night shift in a car parts factory to save money for the trip to Austria. That first separation was hard, but we spoke often and wrote to each other. When we were finally reunited, it was the most wonderful, exciting feeling in the world. We both have a powerful memory of that first kiss when Brad arrived at the train station. In fact, we became so absorbed in the joy of being reconnected that we didn't notice one of Brad's suitcases was being stolen!

We spent three other periods separated, once for a year while Brad was attempting to find a job in Berlin, and again when Brad took a job in Linz and commuted between Linz and Innsbruck while we both looked for jobs in Vienna, where we resettled as soon as we both had work there. The third time was over the last 1.5 years, when we separated in Vienna while working on some issues in our relationship. We are now getting through that and are happy to say that we are both committed to building our future together and remaining happily married. Our long-term plan is to split our time between Austria and Italy.

Our wedding took place in the Goldenes Dachl in Innsbruck. It was small (as we wanted it), but beautiful. And definitely a challenge to navigate introducing our families to each other and helping them communicate despite speaking two different languages. Our wedding party was a hilariously Alpine affair, complete with traditional Tyrolean musicians and dancing, which neither of us were very good at (understatement of the year!).

We still speak our own seamless blend of German and English, switching back and forth according to mood, emotion, and context. Our meeting through BGSU completely changed the course of each other's lives and we can't imagine it having been any other way. We are grateful.

Katie (Portnoy) Schober (2009-2010) and Markus Schober

We met at BGSU’s German Department Oktoberfest party! I had just returned from the 2009-2010 year in Salzburg, and Markus was studying at Bowling Green for the semester. A mutual Austrian friend from the German Master’s program introduced us. I, of course, was wearing a borrowed dirndl, and Markus was in regular “American” clothes.

The crazy part of the story, however, came later. After dating for a while, we were talking about past jobs. I told him that the summer before I left for Austria, I had worked for Rosetta Stone. Surprised, he looked at me and said, “Rosetta Stone? Were you on SharedTalk?” Remembering the program where native speakers of different languages could talk to one another, I replied, “Oh yeah, we had to be on there for work, but I never really did much with it.” He looked at me and said, “Your name is Katie, you’re 24, and you’re from St. Louis… I think I wrote you an e-mail a year ago!”

Sure enough, on my old account I had two e-mails from a Markus from Salzburg, wanting to connect with me! He was thinking about studying in the USA and wanted to practice his English with a native speaker. And I popped up as an English speaker learning German—and so he wrote to me! But I never replied… whoops! Now he always jokes that he had to come to America to get me to finally answer him.

Markus was only supposed to stay for a semester, but he was enjoying BGSU so much, he wanted to stay. After a lot of administrative hassle, he obtained a work visa for an internship with a company in Toledo. After I graduated with my Master’s, we spent the summer apart, but I moved back to Austria in August as a Fulbright teaching assistant. We stayed in Salzburg until 2014, when we moved back to the States.

We actually got married twice! We got engaged in Austria in 2013 and were planning on getting married in the States, but the “alien fiancé visa” we first applied for meant Markus wouldn’t be able to work for almost a year. However, if we got married and applied for the “spouse visa” (or “spusi visa,” as Markus called it) before we went to America, he could work right away. But I needed to be a legal resident of Austria, which I would only be for three more weeks. So we would have to get married in three weeks!

I was initially not thrilled about getting married in Austria before walking down the aisle in America, let alone planning a wedding in three weeks’ time, but it seemed the only option. So we made the two weddings as different as possible. We got married in dirndl and lederhosen, and I didn’t change my name until after the second wedding, and we waited to do wedding rings. We kept the Austrian wedding small and intimate—the bigger wedding would be at home.

Despite my hesitancy to be married before I was married, the Austrian wedding ended up being very special. We got married in Mondsee at the Standesamt, which is connected to the church where Maria got married in Sound of Music. So of course I made Markus go over there afterwards and pretend to be Captain von Trapp while I walked down the aisle. The American tourists were very impressed that it really was our wedding day!

Our Austrian wedding turned into a beautiful day, bringing our families together. But that next year when we moved to Boston, I would catch myself saying confusing sentences like “This is my husband Markus. We’re getting married next July.” I also started calling him my “half-husband,” which puzzled people even more.

A year later, I married him again in my hometown of St. Louis, and fourteen Austrians came to the wedding. They had a great time, but weren’t too fond of the baseball game we made them go to! 11 innings and 0-0 in one-hundred degree St. Louis heat.

We now live in Bend, Oregon, with our two-year-old son. Markus and I still speak German with each other— it was the language we got to know each other in. With our son, Markus mostly speaks German, and I of course speak English. Although our son always answers in English, he’s picking up a lot of German words. He recently said, out of nowhere, “Katze means German, cat means English.” I was so proud!

The BGSU program very much changed our lives—since I didn’t write back to Markus on Rosetta Stone’s website, we never would have met if it wouldn’t have been for Bowling Green!

Carmel Christkindlmarkt: A Transatlantic Celebration of Tradition and Craftsmanship

by Tom Miller (AYA 1988-89), Honorary Alumni Board Member

The Carmel Christkindlmarkt in Carmel, Indiana, isn’t just an ordinary holiday market—it’s a magical portal that transports visitors across continents and through time. Here, the spirit of European Christmas markets comes alive, weaving together tradition, community, and craftsmanship.

A Glimpse into the Carmel Christkindlmarkt

Founded as a nonprofit organization in 2017, the Carmel Christkindlmarkt has quickly become a beloved annual tradition. As you wander through its enchanting stalls, you’ll discover families gathered to “craft in the Kinderecke” (Kids’ Corner). Here, kids of all ages participate in various activities and DIY projects, from crafting ornaments to assembling centerpieces. The “Kulturecke” exhibit isn’t just about showcasing German-American heritage; it’s a journey through time. Visitors learn about the origins of popular Christmas traditions, from Advent calendars to gingerbread houses. The Kulturecke immerses guests in cultural facts and festive ambiance.

Imagine meeting Santa Claus himself or encountering fairy-tale princesses at the “Spielhaus” (Playhouse). This adds a touch of magic, making the season even more memorable for children and adults alike. The heart of the Christkindlmarkt lies in the Winter Pavilion, where enchanting holiday music and performances take place. International artists perform while visitors sip warm Glühwein from iconic boot-shaped mugs. The twinkling lights and festive melodies create an unforgettable atmosphere. Don’t miss a visit to the “Werkstatt” (Workshop), where German artisans create authentic treasures. Watch as nutcrackers, incense smokers, and delicate ornaments take shape—a glimpse into the magic behind the scenes. And, of course, indulge in mouth-watering German fare from dozens of charming wooden huts, whether you crave savory raclette or sweet pastries.

Seiffen: The Sister City Connection

Carmel, Indiana’s sister city is just a short journey across the Atlantic to Seiffen, a charming town nestled in the Ore Mountains of Saxony, Germany. Seiffen is affectionately known as the Toy Village, and its history intertwines with the creation of traditional Christmas ornaments. In the 14th century, Seiffen thrived on silver and tin mining. During the long winter months, locals turned to crafting wooden toys to supplement their income. These handcrafted treasures soon gained recognition for their quality and intricate designs. By the 18th century, Seiffen had become synonymous with wooden Christmas decorations. Incense smokers, nutcrackers, and whimsical pyramids adorned European homes, and the town’s commitment to craftsmanship endured through wars and political changes.

Walking Seiffen’s cobblestone streets feels like stepping back in time. The Seiffen Toy Museum showcases generations of wooden toys, preserving the town’s unique identity. Traditional wooden ornaments continue to be crafted here, keeping the spirit of Christmas alive. And for visitors to the Carmel Christkindlmarkt, there is a delightful connection: many of Seiffen’s finest ornaments make the long trek across the Atlantic Ocean, ready to adorn holiday trees and homes each festive season.

A Shared Love for Tradition

The bond between the Carmel Christkindlmarkt and Seiffen transcends borders. Both celebrate craftsmanship, history, and the magic of Christmas. As visitors explore the market stalls in Indiana, they unknowingly connect with a centuries-old tradition rooted in the heart of Germany. So, whether you’re sipping Glühwein under the twinkling lights or admiring a hand-carved ornament, remember that the spirit of Seiffen lives on in Carmel.

https://www.carmelchristkindlmarkt.com

https://www.carmel.in.gov/our-city/sister-cities/seiffen-saxony-germany

AYA Austria newsletters available online

All the AYA Austria newsletters since 1971 have been added to the AYA Austria website. They can be read or downloaded from the Alumni Newsletter Archive.