CHRISTINE SCHULZE

Champion of Language Learning & Global Education

By Carolyn Lillehaugen | Image by Haney's Photography

Christine Schulze speculates that her earliest experiences may have contributed to her affinity for languages. As a baby, Schulze, along with her parents James and Margaret Schulze, lived in Nürnberg, Germany while her father worked in a civilian supply position for the U.S. Department of Defense. A German nanny frequently cared for Schulze, so she grew up accustomed to hearing both English and German spoken in her home. Perhaps because of that experience, Schulze explains, “Language learning was never a mystery to me.”

When the Schulze family moved back to the United States in the 1960s they settled in Minneapolis, and then Fergus Falls, Minnesota. The natural course of family life had a great influence on Schulze. James, an attorney, often invited her for evening walks around Lake Alice near their home. He would use this time to practice closing arguments for cases he was representing, naturally teaching not only about his work, but the value of carefully crafted communication. The whole family also frequently spent time together outdoors hiking, biking and skiing which promoted a great respect for the environment. One summer the family camped their way across Canada, and another time they traveled to Germany. These experiences during her formative years instilled in Schulze a love of learning and a keen interest in new and different places. According to Schulze, “Exposure to diversity increases curiosity,” and even today she would describe her desire to see and learn about the world as almost insatiable.

During high school Schulze chose to follow her interests and studied both French and German. In the summer of 1970, Schulze was a camper at the inaugural four-week Spanish high school program at Concordia Language Villages. From that time on, she was consistently involved with the Language Villages in some capacity from camper to counselor to dean. After earning her Bachelor’s degree from Concordia College and her Law degree from the University of Minnesota, Schulze accepted the position of Director of the Language Villages, a role which utilized her skills in writing, speaking and advocacy, as well as her affinity for language and culture. She now serves as Vice President for this division of Concordia College.

Founded in 1961 as an experimental program using immersion techniques to teach language, the Villages have grown through the years serving nearly 11,000 students of all ages in 2013. Under Schulze’s leadership, the Villages have flourished, adding facilities and programming. They currently offer 15 languages and have seven year-round architecturally authentic sites on 875 acres on Turtle River Lake near Bemidji, Minnesota. While remaining true to the mission of “preparing young people for responsible citizenship in our global community,” programming has expanded to include immersion instruction for adults, families, and corporate and government clients. A Master’s degree in World Language Instruction is offered by the college in collaboration with the Villages.

According to Concordia College President, William Craft, Schulze is well regarded in the U.S. and around the world for her visionary leadership in promoting global language and cultural education. She has an extraordinarily wide range of gifts which enable her to lead and inspire others to collaborate in this mission.”

As the Language Villages celebrate 50 plus years of programming, Schulze looks forward, with eager anticipation, to continued service believing that “language and cultural learning holds incredible value for people of all stages of life.” [AWM]