Contemporary History Institute and History doctoral student Michael Fitzpatrick recently took part in an immersive German-language program abroad. In the university town of Leipzig, Germany, Sprachschule Paroli offers small-group intensive training in grammar and conversation for students from beginner to advanced levels.
Michael Fitzpatrick
Distinct from other language programs, Paroli stresses an immersive learning environment that takes advantage of the town’s youthful and multicultural character. The school promotes active use of the German language by removing students from the classroom to practice their language skills throughout Leipzig itself.
Fitzpatrick and his fellow students went on excursions that utilized the city’s world class art and history museums, Bundesliga soccer team, parks, open air markets, theaters, music clubs, and restaurants, applying classroom instruction in real life situations. The school also emphasizes not just learning, grammar, and theory, but community building and interpersonal connections, bringing together a broad selection of international students.
Fitzpatrick, who is also earning a Contemporary History Certificate, attended the language school in preparation for his doctoral dissertation research—an examination of the German and U.S. militaries during the Cold War—under the supervision of Dr. Ingo Trauschweizer.
- For more information on the Contemporary History Institute, including 2018 Fall Semester talks, events, and other CHI-related matters, visit the official Facebook and Twitter pages.
- Connect with Fitzpatrick on LinkedIn.
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