Michael Thompson, Co-Director of the SPARK for German program at the Goethe-Institut Washington D.C.
Tell us a little bit about your career and how the GAPP exchange plays into it.
Currently I hold a position at the Goethe-Institut Washington DC, an institution that was pivotal in my language learning journey. I am the Co-Director of one of largest networks of German teachers in the USA, SPARK for German, which is a project intended to increase the interest in learning German at the elementary and middle school level while simultaneously increasing interest in teaching German and the number of qualified German teachers. Although I have always had an interest in learning languages without my GAPP exchange, I don’t think I would’ve gone down the path I did without it. Germany wasn’t on my radar at all as I had experience learning French and Spanish in school and Japanese on my own. It wasn’t until all my friends got exchange partners from Germany that I even really thought about the German language. In the three weeks that they stayed with us, I developed deep long-lasting relationships with many of them, and I decided I had to go on my own GAPP exchange. Once I was there, I fell in love with the culture, architecture, people, and, most importantly, the language.
What was the most memorable moment of your GAPP exchange?
The moment I arrived at my host family’s house was one of the most incredible but ultimately simple moments I have ever experienced. After many hours of traveling to get to Braunschweig, Germany, I got picked up from the airport and taken to my home for the next three weeks. After setting my bags down, it was time to explore, and so we went outside to the street where we talked and joked until I saw a little mouse coming our way. This mouse had a long nose like I have never seen before on a mouse in Omaha, Nebraska and I marveled at all the differences between where I was from and this new place. The mouse then crawled from my hand and into my sweatshirt and it had me twisting and turning while attempting to take off my sweatshirt to get it out. That mouse marked the beginning of an adventure and although it was slightly terrifying and different, I knew that everything was going to be exciting and alright.
Are you still in touch with your exchange partner?
After going on the GAPP exchange, I went back to stay with the same family for my study abroad and every time I visit, I stay with one of them. We still have contact, but it is infrequent, although I am still great friends with my original partner’s brother, who was one of the exchange students on that first GAPP exchange that my friend’s took part in. We wish each other happy birthday, happy holidays, and catch up from time to time. The greatest thing of all is knowing that if we have any chance of seeing each other, we will find a way!
Could you describe in which ways your language skills helped you build your career?
I wouldn’t have this job if I didn’t speak German. It opened up a whole entire career path that would have otherwise been closed to me. It also opened up a world of possibilities to me in which I used to work in Germany as well. Without that first contact with German students on their GAPP exchange, I wouldn’t be where I am today in my career.
How would you encourage a student who hasn't yet enrolled in a GAPP exchange with their school?
For those privileged enough to have those around them finance a trip to Germany, what’s stopping you from joining a program that will open up so many possibilities and perspectives to you?
For those without that privilege, like me at the time, I want you to understand that your hard work will pay off and those experiences you’ll have and the friendships you’ll make will shape the rest of your future for the better. At the end of the day, it’s a life-changing experience and an investment in a world of possibilities.
