Experiencing the Possibilities
2023/2024
Marvin von Hagen – Interim Report of my Research Stay at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Supported and Sponsored by GAWC
My ten-month research stay at the American Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which began in September, has evolved into a unique and enriching experience for which I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the GAWC Munich.
Through an invitation from Prof. Thomas W. Malone of the MIT Center for Collective Intelligence (CCI), I have had the opportunity to research in the field of Multi-Agent AI Systems. Additionally, my research led me to consult with representatives of organizations closely collaborating with the MIT CCI, such as NATO. These interactions provided me insights into the practical application of my research and significantly broadened my horizons. Besides my research focus, I expanded my knowledge by auditing courses at Harvard University in Computational Game Theory and AI Security & Policy. These academic experiences complemented my research excellently and allowed me to deepen my understanding in these specialized areas. Furthermore, there were numerous events and other opportunities to engage in discussions on current topics. For example, I was invited to a salon at the home of MIT CSAIL Professor Manolis Kellis. Participating in student initiatives like MIT AI Alignment (MAIA) was also immensely enriching. Through my involvement with MAIA, I completed an AI Governance Fellowship, attended a weekend seminar in North Massachusetts, and participated in exciting Q&A sessions with leading figures such as Prof. Max Tegmark and Prof. Yoshua Bengio. A chance conversation with an American, Rhea Karty, at a student party I was invited to via MAIA, took a delightful turn when we both mentioned being sponsored by the GAWC. This meeting also filled me with anticipation for future VDAC events!
I am also part of Prod, an initiative similar to the Munich Center for Digital Technology and Management (CDTM) but open to MIT, Harvard, and Stanford students instead of TUM/LMU students. With this initiative, we spent a welcome weekend on Cape Cod, east of Cambridge, and thanks to Sequoia sponsorship, we could visit the members at Stanford. There, I could also meet two friends from Stanford with whom I am currently collaborating on a research project. Additionally, the MIT Independent Activities Period (IAP) is approaching, during which regular classes are suspended, and MIT students are offered trips and other activities by various organizations. Thanks to Prod, I will be able to spend the first weeks of January with my classmates in Rome and continue working from a co-working space there, while others from the CCI, for example, will head to Singapore during the IAP.
Another highlight was the German-American Conference at Harvard. Ten German friends visited me there, all of whom traveled from Stanford, Berkeley, Cambridge (UK), Zurich, and Munich to join me, staying in my room and the shared living room of my apartment. This transatlantic exchange, which not only involved my ten friends but also many other acquaintances who traveled to the Boston area, whom I reunited with at the conference, delighted me and further increased my gratitude for being able to experience the other side of the Atlantic. We then made day trips to New York City and Washington D.C., where we visited the Capitol, the Supreme Court, and many other landmarks. My living situation right at Harvard Square, as well as the strong interuniversity cooperation, allowed me to play Futsal regularly at Harvard facilities and to utilize the extensive opportunities of the "Borrow Direct" program. This program grants students from the top 13 universities in the USA access to the libraries and other facilities of the other twelve elite universities, for example, during my visit to Stanford and during my weekend in New Haven for the traditional American football game between Harvard and Yale.
In summary, I can say that my stay at MIT has been an enriching and incredibly horizon-expanding experience. I am deeply grateful to the GAWC Munich for the support that has enabled me to seize this unique opportunity. This time at MIT not only allows me to develop academically but also to grow personally immensely.
I hope you have had an equally good time and wish you a wonderful start to the new year – Thank you very much!
Marvin
Marvin von Hagen in Washington D.C.
German-American-Conference in Harvard
Salon with Prof. Manolis Kellis
2023
Simon Knauer – Final Report on my Study Semester at the University of California, San Diego
Supported and Sponsored by GAWC
Dear Ladies of the GAWC,
I am pleased to report to you about my study semester at the University of California, San Diego. I had the opportunity to study there for a semester from September to December 2023 as part of my master's degree in Electrical Engineering. The challenging coursework, the beautiful area of California, interesting people, and the Californian way of life made it a perfect experience for me.
San Diego is located in the southern part of California, adjacent to the Pacific coast and the border with Mexico. As the second-largest city in California, San Diego is known for its beaches, parks, and pleasant warm climate. In addition to its geographical charm, the University of California, San Diego, was also an excellent choice academically. The courses offered were demanding and intriguing. I attended courses from various fields of electrical engineering, with a particularly exciting course for me being one in the field of artificial intelligence. UC San Diego conducts significant research in this area and has a very good reputation. Here, I gained insights into the highly relevant field and discussed the latest developments in AI with professors. Additionally, it was exciting to familiarize myself with the American education system and the campus.
A significant portion of time was spent on campus outside of classes. Particularly, trying out new sports and attending sports events on and off-campus were thrilling for me. San Diego's warm climate and consistent waves offer year-round opportunities for surfing. I couldn't miss the chance to try surfing myself. UCSD offers various opportunities to learn surfing through courses or joining a surf club. It was also an excellent way to make contacts and friendships.
UCSD generally has a strong connection to the sea. The Scripps Institution of Oceanography, as part of UCSD, is one of the oldest, largest, and most significant research centers for oceanography in the world. The vast campus of UCSD includes its own beach area and a pier for research purposes. Through fortunate connections, I was able to get a tour of the normally inaccessible pier and gain insight into the marine research conducted there.
In my free time, I attended baseball, basketball, and football games. However, it must be said that San Diego State University is significantly superior to UC San Diego in sports. Therefore, we sometimes switched universities for sports events. I found it fascinating how significant a role sports play at the university, both in general and for many students.
Unfortunately, it was not possible for international students to secure a spot in one of the campus dormitories. Instead, we had to find our own accommodation. Ultimately, I lived in a four-person shared apartment in a large housing complex. Despite not being on campus, the apartment was close to the university and well-connected by bus and tram, which made me very happy.
San Diego, California, and the surrounding area offer many opportunities for leisure activities and excursions. On weekends, I explored San Diego itself, Los Angeles, or Joshua Tree National Park with my classmates. Due to the proximity to Mexico, we also had the opportunity to spend a weekend there. That was also very interesting, although one must travel cautiously in the adjacent city of Tijuana and avoid certain unsafe areas. Additionally, I visited San Francisco, Las Vegas, Yosemite National Park, the Grand Canyon, and others on two longer trips over Thanksgiving and after my studies. The national parks in California fascinated me the most personally, and the surrounding cities and San Diego itself are also worth seeing.
I have had the pleasure of meeting many nice people, both at the university and beyond. The study has propelled me forward, and experiencing the local culture and way of life has been very enriching. I would like to thank you for supporting my semester abroad at UCSD.
Best regards,
Simon Knauer
Simon Knauer, Trip to San Francisco
La Jolla Shores beach with the UC San Diego pier
Campus run at UC San Diego
2023
Anselm Krauss - Final Report of My Research Stay at Stanford University
Supported and Sponsored by GAWC
Over the past months, I had the privilege of serving as a visiting scholar at the prestigious SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. Under the expert guidance of Prof. Siegfried Glenzer and Dr. Benjamin Ofori-Okai, I delved into the depths of the High Energy Density Department, deepening my knowledge of Warm Dense Matter (WDM) and its interaction with light.
The focus of my research was on WDM, a state with extremely high densities and temperatures found in stellar cores. Special attention was given to terahertz pulse generation and Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) simulations. Thanks to these research efforts and the support of the SLAC team, I successfully completed the terahertz pulse optimization experiments. My Python skills proved invaluable in transforming the collected data into understandable diagrams.
The crowning achievement of my academic journey was the submission of my bachelor's thesis under the supervision of Prof. Jörg Schreiber, which was honored with an excellent grade of 1.3. Prof. Glenzer, highly satisfied with my work, has even pledged his support for my upcoming PhD application in Applied Physics at Stanford.
Beyond the laboratories and research facilities, the Stanford campus offered rich social and cultural experiences. I connected with inspiring individuals from around the world, broadened my horizons through the Olympic Weightlifting course, and explored the scenic and cultural diversity of California, from Santa Cruz to San Francisco. The modern Google Campus and visits from friends were particular highlights.
Not only the campus itself but also the surroundings of Stanford provided numerous experiences. Morning surf sessions in Santa Cruz, hiking and swimming at Lake Tahoe, wild camping excursions in Yosemite Park, and various conferences and hackathons in San Francisco and Palo Alto. The visit to the modern Google Campus was a special highlight that opened a window into the future of technology. Warm reunions occurred when friends visited me at Stanford.
In conclusion, I can confidently say that both the academic and personal development during this research stay were invaluable. My deepest gratitude goes to GAWC, without whose financial support this enlightening journey would not have been possible.
Anselm Krauss
2023
Anselm Krauss - Interim Report of My Research Stay at Stanford University
Supported and Sponsored by GAWC
I am currently relishing the excellent atmosphere of the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory as a visiting scholar. Under the guidance of Prof. Siegfried Glenzer and Dr. Benjamin Ofori-Okai, I am deepening my knowledge in the High Energy Density Department, with a specific focus on investigating Warm Dense Matter (WDM) and its interaction with light.
WDM, an exotic phase of matter occurring in extreme cosmic environments such as stellar cores and during nuclear fusion, is at the core of my scientific interest. Its characteristics include immensely high density and temperature. My research is primarily centered on terahertz pulse generation and Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) simulations—two fundamental research areas aimed at better understanding and controlling this extraordinary phase of matter.
Having previously worked as a student employee at Marvel Fusion, a promising fusion startup in Munich, I can leverage my practical skills and scientific knowledge to directly impact the future landscape of fusion research.
The successful completion of our terahertz pulse optimization experiments involved precise examination of various crystals and their spatial orientation. Through these tests, we acquired valuable data to generate a significantly stronger pulse than before optimization, thereby enhancing future WDM experiments. By enhancing my Python skills and benefiting from collegial support at SLAC, I transformed the collected data into visually appealing and comprehensible diagrams.
I am currently in the final phase of my research work, dedicating myself to writing my bachelor's thesis. The previous experiments have been successful, and I am confident in completing my work within the specified timeframe.
Apart from my intensive scientific work, I take pleasure in discovering the vibrant life on the Stanford campus. Engaging with inspiring personalities, exploring the culinary diversity in the Dining Hall, and participating in sports offerings like the Olympic Weightlifting course enrich my daily experiences.
My time at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory represents a fulfilling and horizon-expanding experience. The opportunity to expand my scientific competencies while being part of the vibrant Stanford community is a privilege I deeply appreciate.
Lastly, I want to express my gratitude to GAWC for making this fascinating journey possible through their generosity. Their support not only allows me to broaden my scientific horizons but also contributes significantly to the dynamic community at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory.
Anselm Krauss
Barbara Standl, Chairlady Student Exchange GAWC, with Anselm Krauss before his departure to Stanford
2023
Sophie Fuchs - Second Semester Troy University, Alabama
After an eventful first semester, I went on a two-week trip along the east coast of the U.S. during the semester break. Besides Florida, including Miami and Washington D.C., New York City was, of course, on the list, too. This city is probably the "must see" for everyone who has planned a trip to the United States. I was not disappointed either. NYC is exactly as you imagine it: huge skyscrapers, lots of people and always something going on. The view from the Empire State Building is incredible and Times Square exactly as you see it in American movies. In comparison, Washington D.C. offered a pleasant peace and quiet to recover from the hustle and bustle of the big city.
Even though I enjoyed all these places, homesickness came up in between. But surprisingly not to Germany, but to Troy, the small town in Alabama, the South of the U.S. Even though many of the friends I made during the first semester have returned home, there were still a few people I was looking forward to seeing again during these two and a half weeks. This time has shown me that after only a few months I have already settled in so much and felt incredibly comfortable that I have actually found a "home away from home".
The new semester started off a little quieter compared to the fall semester. There were a few new international students coming to Troy for their semester abroad, many of them from Europe. To help them get started, my friends and I volunteered to support at the orientation days and share the tips we had learned at our start. Soon, everyday university life caught up with us again, but I had missed it a lot during the break. This semester, I was again more than satisfied with my course selection and once again made it on the Chancellor's Honor List for my 4.0 GPA, which is equivalent to a 1.0 average in Germany. This achievement is more attainable in the U.S. because you have graded homework, exams, or projects during the semester that are then added up to an overall grade at the end. Thus, the amount of work during the lecture period is of course higher, but if you keep at it, it is absolutely doable and, in my personal opinion, easier than in Germany. Especially, the small class sizes in most lectures allow for a familiar environment, which invites many discussions and thus facilitates learning.
Even though my bucket list didn't have many items, as I just wanted to be surprised by what was coming up, one of the few was visiting Mardi Gras. Nowadays, mainly New Orleans is known for these celebrations, however, the tradition originated in Mobile, a city in the very South of Alabama. Relatively spontaneously, I went there with a friend and had the opportunity to watch the colorful parades that take place several times a day during this time. These reminded me of the carnival parades here in Bavaria. People were often dressed up and rode through town on magnificently decorated floats while throwing candy and especially colorful strings of plastic beads to the public. After this excursion, things got a bit more stressful at the university, since the midterm exams were coming up soon. However, the motivation was great because we knew that we would be rewarded with a week of vacation afterwards, the so-called "Spring Break". For this time, I planned a road trip together with two American friends starting in Phoenix, Arizona. From there, we took a rental car to the Mexican border, where we parked the car and then set off on foot to Tijuana, the Mexican city at the border to California. After two days we went back to the U.S. and on to Los Angeles, where the Walk of Fame as well as the Hollywood sign were on the agenda. Of course, a visit to Las Vegas was not to be missed, where we strolled along the famous Strip with its many large casinos. After that, we were able to check off another item on my bucket list as we continued on to the Grand Canyon. There I was not disappointed, because live it was at least as breathtaking as in the pictures. When it was time to take the plane back home from Phoenix, the joy of this short but eventful road trip ebbed a bit, as there were only about six weeks left of the semester before it was time to say goodbye. However, to make the most of it, a friend and I planned a weekend trip to Nashville, the center of country music. Just like Las Vegas, there was a main street, called Broadway, with numerous venues that had live music every night with free admission.
In conclusion, I can say that my time in the U.S. went by way too fast and it definitely didn’t feel like nine months. Saying goodbye was hard but knowing that I now have friends all over the world, many of them in Europe and therefore not that far away, made it a bit easier. In addition, some visits are already planned. First, an American friend will visit me in Germany, in the summer I will fly to Belgium to visit a good friend from the first of my two semesters and in September I will go back to the U.S. for 10 days, of course also to Troy!
After I could reminisce about my time in Alabama and the many experiences by writing this report, I would like to thank the VDAC and especially Mrs. Barbara Standl from the DAFC in Munich for this great opportunity. My time in the United States was simply incredible and will remain in my memory forever. I was also able to develop a lot personally and I brought home the best souvenir: friends for life and unforgettable memories.
Walk of Fame in Los Angeles
Visiting the Grand Canyon with friends
Farewell photo with classmates
2022
Sophie Fuchs - First Semester Troy University, Alabama
My first semester here in Alabama flew by and I can’t believe I am already about to start the second one. These past few months have been the greatest experience of my life. When I arrived in August, I was welcomed by my German roommate and her American friends who already introduced me to the Southern hospitality on my first day by helping me move in. During the first week the orientation for the new international students took place. This provided the possibility for me to get to know people from all over the world who turned into friends for lifetime over the semester. The various student clubs organized several events on campus throughout the first few weeks. A T-shirt-dye party, picnic, movie night and karaoke are just a few examples. By attending these, I not only got to have a fun time with my friends, but also the chance to meet more new people, especially locals and have some interesting conversations.
Class sizes at Troy University are rather small compared to Germany. Furthermore, most instructors really care about their students. The system here is very different from Europe. You have several assignments, quizzes, and homework due during the semester, which reminded me of how grading worked back in school. At first, I needed some time to adapt as I wasn’t used to having this kind of workload during the semester. However, looking back now, I think this system makes it easier to achieve good grades as you have a lot of possibilities to make up for a bad score. In general, I can definitely say the difficulty level here is lower compared to German university courses, yet the higher workload during the semester can still be challenging. The classes I took were all interesting and well taught. If I had to decide I would say the management class “Leadership and Change” was my favorite, and my professor was from Korea and the kindest instructor I’ve ever had in my life. Since I was one of his best students, he even invited me to join the University’s Management Club. We had a few meetings about preparing for job interviews, time management and other helpful topics throughout the semester. The club meetings were not only useful to develop and gain knowledge, but also to meet more new people. Another club I’ve joined is the Troy University hiking club. This was a great opportunity to not only go hiking, but also see more of the country as we usually went to parks further away from Troy. Considering my great experiences, I recommend everyone to join at least one club or organization while studying abroad.
Troy is a rather small city, and it is very hard to move around without a car. Even if it might not be the most exciting place in the US, the university is trying its best for the students to have a good time. Movie nights, a silent disco, casino night and other events provide enough possibilities for your leisure time. Of course, there are also various sports games. From volleyball, softball, soccer, basketball and not to forget the famous American football, you can tell easily that the US is all about sports, especially at college. Together with my friends we attended a lot of these events and home games of Troy’s sports teams. Football gamedays were definitely an outstanding experience and one of my highlights of the last semester. The whole day is about the game and starts with everyone tailgating hours before the actual game starts. The team spirit you can feel with people all over the campus dressed in the university’s gear is just overwhelming!
Apart from the numerous on-campus events throughout the whole semester, I also got the chance to travel around the US. For our first trip, our American friends took us to New Orleans where we spent one weekend and got to see the famous French Quarter. A couple weeks later I went with another German girl to visit a friend of hers in Boston. There I realized how much European influence, especially this city has. During Thanksgiving break, my American friend invited me to her family’s house in Mobile, which is in the very south of Alabama. This week was one of my best during the semester. Not only did I get the chance to experience the traditional American Thanksgiving with turkey, green bean casserole, sweet potato pie and so much more food. I also got to see the wonderful beaches in Alabama and the city of Mobile,where the famous Mardi Gras originated.
I am enjoying every second here in Troy or rather in the US in general. I have met so many great people so far and even though I still have one semester left, I wish I could stay longer. Therefore, I want to thank the VDAC and especially Mrs. Standl from the GAWC in Munich for giving me this enriching opportunity and fulfilling my dream.
Christmas decorations in Mobile during the Thanksgiving vacations
Attending a football game at Troy Veterans Memorial Stadium with friends
Beautiful sunset in Gulf Shores, Alabama
2022
On October 31, 2022 our Exchange Student Sophie Fuchs wrote:
Dear Mrs. Standl,
I have been in Troy for most 3 months now. I have settled in here very quickly, fortunately I did not have any jet lag, and I feel extremely comfortable. We are a great group of international students, but also some Americans. Time flew by and now it’s almost November. Especially in the first weeks we did something every day, be it volleyball, badminton, eating together or just spending time together on campus. In the meantime, the university routine has caught up with us a bit, since the midterms are coming up. Tomorrow I have my last exam for the time being and then it’s time for the projects and group work. I am very happy with my course selection and take it very seriously, so that I currently have at least 90% (A) in all subjects.
Of course, I have already explored the country a bit. We spent a weekend together in New Orleans and together with a friend who also lives in Germany, I spent a few days in Boston. Now there are only three weeks left until the week-long Thanksgiving break. One of my American friends invited me to come home to Mobile with her for a few days and celebrate Thanksgiving with her family. I’m really looking forward to experiencing this American tradition!
I like the campus of Troy University very much and it is exactly how I imagined a real American campus. Even though I don't know much about American football, I really enjoy the game days. The whole day is about the game starting with tailgating. On these days the whole campus is lively and you can feel the school spirit everywhere, a really impressive experience.
For most of my international friends, it's time to return home soon. Therefore, I am even more grateful that I have the opportunity to spend another semester here! Thank you again for that!
Have a great evening.
Kind regards,
Sophie Fuchs
2022
Exchange Student Lisa Thiergart wrote from the US:
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen of VDAC, It is a great pleasure for me to tell you about my exchange year 2021 at GeorgiaTech. In spite of all the Corona difficulties, I received my visa in January (somewhat adventurously) exactly one day before departure - and so the journey began!
es ist mir ist es eine große Freude, Ihnen von meinem Austauschjahr 2021 an der GeorgiaTech zu berichten. Trotz aller Corona-Widrigkeiten erhielt ich (etwas abenteuerlicherweise) im Januar genau einen Tag vor Abflug noch mein Visum – und somit ging die Reise los!
For the first semester, I lived on campus in the middle of bustling Midtown Atlanta. Although the spring semester started virtually, I felt very welcomed and there were many opportunities to meet fellow students. I joined the women's Ultimate Frisbee team and was also able to meet many American students through the university's adventure sports program. The day trips to whitewater kayaking, cascading (rappelling through waterfalls), and caving were both thrilling and very bonding!
In class, I especially liked that the professors took a lot of time to discuss with interested students and respond to their ideas. It was a very motivating and supportive learning environment, which was very student-centered. I was particularly pleased to be able to take many subjects at the intersection of neuroscience and computer science. I was fascinated to learn theoretically as well as to be able to do extremely stimulating projects: In one course, I simulated how the human brain figures out which direction objects are moving as they fly through our visual field!
I had a lot of fun on the weekends getting to know the city and its history. Visits to Krog Street Market, High Museum of Art, Atlanta Philharmonic and Piedmont Park showed the cultural side of the city, which now has a booming film and music industry. A Civil Rights bike tour by the university took students to the birthplace of Martin Luther King, explained Atlanta's strategic role in the Civil War, and also showed the signs of what is in some ways a modern version of the civil rights movement: Many 'Black Lives Matter' posters hung in the windows and statues of Confederate generals were fenced in.
In the summer, I traveled to Florida for two weeks of surfing and even got to see a SpaceX rocket launch! Then, college friends picked me up for our road trip: two Germans and an American, all engineers who met at Georgia Tech. We traveled through 16 states up the East Coast - from Florida to Maine. In Boston, on the recommendation of Uli Dornseifer, we visited the Boston Union Oyster House! It was incredible to experience the diversity of this country day by day: the changing nature and vegetation, the changing character of the cities and the different life attitudes and situations of the people we met along the way. This trip was not only unforgettable from a personal point of view, but it also allowed me to gain some insight into the American "people's soul" and I have the feeling that I can better understand any political differences to Germany.
Afterwards, I started my summer internship in robotics in Atlanta - where I worked on a Mars vehicle controlled by brain waves. I really couldn't have asked for a better experience. After the summer, though, I understand why they call Atlanta 'Hot-lanta'!
Since I had enjoyed the spring semester so much, I decided to take the 2nd semester as well. This semester allowed me to get to know the normal course of studies and I was fascinated by the wide range of campus life. Besides my research, I was able to take totally exciting Master and PhD courses in AI, Cognitive Science and Computer Vision. It was impressive to learn in a very applied way and at the same time to be in direct discourse with professors at the forefront of their research field. On winter weekends, I traveled to Chicago (for a conference), Florida (for the Southwest Frisbee Regionals with the team!), and Berkeley, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. I was very impressed to meet several startups in Berkeley and to spontaneously attend an investor dinner. It's really remarkable how much the entrepreneurial culture shapes the way of life in this region. A big highlight in the winter was Thanksgiving with my roommate's family. I brought cheese spaetzle and it was such a precious moment to be able to celebrate this traditional feast with so many warm people.
Now I look back very happily on an unforgettable year, and I am very grateful to you, the ladies and gentlemen of VDAC, for giving me this opportunity. I take with me not only friendships for life, but also formative experiences - for my world view and academic career - and a conviction to cultivate and actively live the German American friendship.
Lisa
2021/2022
Nicholas Hall from the University of Arizona Tucson studied at the LMU Munich
Field of study: German as a Foreign Language. During the Christmas holidays, some of the Ladies in the Club were happy to have Nick as a guest at their home, to show him Munich's sights or to visit one of the city's traditional pub-restaurants with him.
With Doris Rautter, Nick visited St. Cajetan's Church on Odeonsplatz, the Holy Spirit Church on Viktualienmarkt and much more. At the Hofbräuhaus, Nick learned about an important piece of Bavarian tavern culture.
The young American enjoyed a traditional Christmas goose dinner by the Christmas tree with Christina Mehring's family.
Cornelia Riegelsberger-Schneck, along with her family and Sandra Hirschmann, welcomed Nick during the Christmas holidays. The week before Christmas, Cornelia and Sandra took an enthusiastic American student out for a sauerbraten meal at the Augustiner Stammhaus.
2019/2020
Jackson Bourgoyne Harmon from the Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta Georgia, studied computer science at the LMU Munich.
Our exchange student introduces himself:
My name is Jackson Harmon. I come from the USA, from South Carolina. There I study computer science and artificial intelligence at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. This year, I am a VDAC exchange student in my third year of study at LMU. I have been learning German for two years. I have never been to Europe, so I would like to travel to England and France during the vacations. I came to Germany because I am interested in the art, culture and history of Europe. At Christmas my parents and my younger sister will visit me in Munich, we will then also go to Salzburg and Vienna for a few days. At the Silver Tea I have already met some ladies of the German American Women’s Club Munich. I hope to be able to talk to as many ladies as possible in German at the New Year's meeting and at the Magnolia Ball.
