4 minute read
German student aspires for humanitarian career
Born in Germany, dancing in the USA Rahel Meyer said in Germany young students follow the same plan throughout their whole education and into their careers. But she said studying here has given her more options for her career. Photo by Keyu Xiao
Rahel Meyer prepares for humanitarian career at United Nations by attending BYU—Hawaii
BY EDEN JONES
In a school where the general student body represents the United States, Asia and the Pacific Islands, Rahel Meyer, studying communication and media studies, and triple minoring in political science, peacebuilding and world languages, is one of few European students and was born and raised in Germany. She said she loves having the opportunity to be creative and establish herself in a career, and she loves the multicultural family she has made on campus.
Talking about coming to BYUH, Meyer said, “I thought I would feel lonely. I thought I would miss my culture, my people and everything, but I feel like I’ve created my own family here if that makes sense. I’ve always loved different cultures, and I’ve never been a person who’s said that I wanted to live in Germany my whole life. I just love meeting new cultures.
“I love adventures. And of course, I miss my family back home, and my friends, but thinking about the culture, I have a new family here, and it’s so nice.”
In Germany, people are generally more closed off, Meyer explained. For her to come to Hawaii and experience such an open and loving culture, she said, helped her feel at home.
“She’s adjusting amazingly well,” said Summer Edwards, a sophomore from Utah studying exercise and sports science, one of Meyer’s closest friends on campus.
Breanne Gibb, a junior from Ohio studying communications, another of Meyer’s closest friends, said they instantly became friends at orientation and have been close ever since. “It’s funny, because it was my very first week in Hawaii, and I’ve met people who are still my best friends now,” Meyer said.
“We just do everything together. It’s just amazing. People really are super friendly [and] open.”
Meyer said there were two things drawing her to BYUH: the beach and the people.
“I served my mission in France, in the Lyon Mission, and there are a lot of Tahitian people living in France. I always loved the Tahitian people, and I always loved Tahitian culture.
“In Germany, we don’t really have [Tahitian culture present], and I really wanted to get to know those people. I just applied. I didn’t know that I would be accepted or anything—it just happened.”
Meyer is in her second year at BYUH. “And I love the weather,” she added. “I just love tropical weather. I love the beach. I love everything about it.”
Germany gets “crazy” cold in the winter, she explained.
There are a lot of things to miss about Germany, according to Meyer, especially the food. However, she said the people in Hawaii and the culture make it worth it being away from home, and she loves the local acai bowls. “Before I got here, I worked with refugees in Germany, so I love working with people. I want to work for the United Nations, in the Humanitarian Department and do international projects,” especially in France, after having served her mission there, she added.
She said France would not have been her first choice, however. Although she had only been to Paris a few times, she had prejudices and thought the French were stuck-up. “So, when I got my mission call, I was so excited, but I also cried. I really wanted to go to Asia.” She laughed. “But I just love France so much now. I served in the south of France and in Switzerland. It was amazing.”
Meyer said the wide array of opportunities she has in the United States is one of her favorite parts of going to school in Hawaii. “In Germany, you have your education, and you follow the specific plan to become something. Then throughout your life, you don’t change jobs. You stay with the job you went to university for.”
This is particularly significant for Meyer because she said she spent most of her childhood in dance training, and while she still loves dance, she felt her career was taking her elsewhere.
While she is following her dream of working for the United Nations, dance remains a passion for Meyer, she said. She has spent a lot of time in the Hip-Hop Club since her arrival on campus. “She will destroy anyone at the school dances,” Gibb said, laughing. Edwards agreed she is an “insanely good” dancer and those were not the only good things they had to say of her.
Gibb said, “She has this incredibly amazing positive attitude all the time in life, and no matter what happens, she treats everybody with such kindness. She always makes other people feel really good about themselves.”
Edwards said, “I just love Rahel with all my heart. She’s the nicest person you will ever meet. She’s a light to so many people here.” •
