About Germany SST
Goshen College began sending students to West Germany
in 1970. The cultural differences between the East and
West Germany made settling in Jena, located in former
East Germany, an exciting opportunity for SST in the
1980s, where students could experience “the other
side” before the fall of the Berlin Wall.
During the Cold War, many Americans considered Eastern
Europe a mystery, but Goshen saw a possibility to enter
a culture largely off limits to the West. While several
groups during the mid-1970s went to Poland, Germany has
remained a steadfast SST option for nearly 25 years.
When the Cold War ended and the Berlin Wall came down
in 1989, Germany SST took on a new feel. With the East
no longer forced into isolation, a flood of family reunions
and efforts to restore this area of Germany became underway.
SSTers now experience former East Germany as it even
now continues to rebuild economically and socially and
its people come to terms with the past.
Your Germany SST experience will begin in Jena, located
in former East Germany. Over 400 Goshen College students
have traveled
to Eastern Europe since SST began in East Germany,
with a few years in Poland. The travel provided a firsthand
look at sections of Soviet controlled countries before
the end of the Cold War.
Germany is rich with Christian history and traditions,
from Martin Luther to Deitrich Bonhoeffer, a martyr
who fought against the Nazis, to the musical harmonies
of Bach and Beethoven. While staying with host families
you may hear stories about the Berlin Wall dividing
families in half or of the horrors of the holocaust
in Buchenwald. But, your families will also demonstrate
hospitality and generosity in such a profound way that
you will feel honored to have known them.
Study
Studies in German happen each morning for the first six weeks of
SST. Language classes are held in the Christiliches Gymnasium. While
it is currently a private Lutheran high school, it originally served
as a garrison for Nazi soldiers.
After morning classes, seminars occupy the afternoons on topics of German theology
to the realities of East-West reunification. The classroom often expands outside,
from the chilling Buchenwald concentration camp to the ancient city of Erfurt.
Walk through castles, examine the Berlin Wall, and take in a noon service at
Berliner Dom.
Service
Service is central to the Germany SST experience. You may find yourself
helping handicapped young adults or volunteering with
the Salvation Army.
Service occurs for the final six weeks of SST with students
often going in pairs to the same destination, but living
with different host families. Other common service assignments
include helping with a recreational program for low-income
kids, assisting at a drug rehabilitation clinic, serving
the elderly, or volunteering at a church camp.
