Sustaining Inspiration

DAAD Germany experience enhances advisor's ability to assist students

by Laura Clippard

Like many of my students’, my roots are planted in a small Tennessee town, a place where academic opportunities were sparse, but dreams were plentiful. My earliest interest in Germany was sparked by a German class in high school—a flame that was further fanned by the captivating stories told by my Austrian mother-in-law, who lived the early part of her adult life there.

Despite financial hurdles that limited my early experiences, my dedication to engaging with international academic landscapes continues to grow, especially after witnessing the transformative impact of my daughter’s study abroad journey in Japan. I was beyond honored to be selected as the first representative from MTSU for the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) Germany Today tour in June. I joined 21 academic colleagues from leading universities from across the United States and Canada.

Germany Today is designed to give participants a broad look at that nation’s higher education landscape, including details about bachelor’s and master’s programs as well as doctoral training at a spectrum of German institutions. The weeklong tour explores innovative projects and structural reforms in higher education.

The tour discussed new opportunities and challenges for universities, including adapting to enrollment changes, matching job market expectations, and embracing diversity in the student body. This experience reinforced my commitment to opening doors for students to global educational and research opportunities.

This experience reinforced my commitment to opening doors for students to global educational and research experiences.

Seeing Germany for the first time was an awe-inspiring experience. Germany is a beautiful country characterized by its lush green spaces, colorful trains, and a harmonious blend of historical buildings and modern technology. The people are friendly and helpful, making it a welcoming destination for educational opportunities.

We began our journey in Frankfurt, a vibrant global hub known for its commerce, culture, education, tourism, and transportation. We also visited the Trumpf Factory, observing the use of machine tools and lasers for manufacturing. And we explored Reutlingen University, which is dedicated to shaping the future sustainably on local and global scales.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Germany is its commitment to transitioning away from coal and nuclear power. My favorite part of the trip was witnessing the innovative practices at Augsburg University, such as using sheep for lawn maintenance.

As an Honors College advisor and head of the Undergraduate Fellowships Office (UFO), I engage with a diverse array of individuals within the MTSU community, including minority, first-generation, and low-income students and those from immigrant families, which enriches our academic fabric. My position is responsible for advising students about national and international programs, and leading public speaking engagements. Additionally, I serve as a national Gilman Advisor Ambassador, further engaging with those on campus.

The UFO promotes academic and scientific fellowships and scholarships that allow students to pursue further study in their future career fields, in the U.S. and internationally. These programs help students with funding for study abroad, research experiences, graduate school, and more. It has been rewarding to see the enthusiasm from students toward applying for various opportunities.

Through direct conversations with faculty and senior leaders at diverse German institutions, I have learned extensively about their higher education system. I will continue to champion interdisciplinary partnerships and support underrepresented students in accessing international opportunities. I plan to leverage this knowledge to help my students apply for Germany-related international fellowships and to offer additional support to the wider MTSU community, including faculty.

This experience has been profoundly life-changing. I made new friends, gained a deep understanding of the German educational system, and developed valuable resources for our students. The opportunity to participate in the DAAD Germany Today tour represents a pivotal moment in my professional journey that aligns strongly with my enduring commitment to foster global educational exchanges.