The 2024 Crister S. Garrett Scholarship Cohort: Charlyn
Two of this year’s four scholarship recipients have already completed their projects. Charlyn spent a year at Mount Holyoke College, and Terence was able to complete a four-week English language course in California. Alexandra is currently still doing research for her dissertation at the Hoover Institution at Stanford, and Nadine just started her year abroad at an American high school.
In this first blog post about this year’s cohort, we’re sharing Charlyn’s experience at Mount Holyoke College.
Find out more about the CSG Scholarship here.
Charlyn’s experience at Mount Holyoke College, supported by the CSG Scholarship
Charlyn
As an American Studies student, my study abroad experience in the US was quite unique. My name is Charlyn Rachner, and I spent the past year at Mount Holyoke College, a historic women’s college in western Massachusetts. Thanks to the Crister S. Garrett Scholarship, I was able to immerse myself in American culture. While studying full-time, I also gained valuable teaching experience by working as a TA for the German department. Living on campus, where buying toothpaste at the bookstore was a norm due to the lack of a car, was a distinctive part of my experience. The college exceeded my expectations, offering incredible opportunities. One of the highlights was meeting the author of the book that is the focus of my BA thesis. We discussed her book, compared the university systems in Germany and the US, and shared our thoughts on various books we had recently read.
A typical day at Mount Holyoke involved teaching a class in the morning, which I usually prepared for over the weekends. After that, I attended one of my own classes and then headed to the dining hall, known to students as Blanch. Following lunch, I would go to another class, then spend time with friends, either relaxing in the sun, studying at the library, or visiting faculty during office hours. Evenings were spent with friends at the dining hall and watching movies in the common room. Before bed, we would participate in the tradition of M&C's, enjoying milk and cookies served every weekday night.
Mary Lyon Hall
What made this experience unusual was the college's strong academic focus, with small classes of about 18 students, and the absence of typically American elements like football or cheerleading. Attending a women’s college highlighted the solidarity among women, fostering an environment that encourages diversity and new perspectives on history and literature.
Moreover, I gained a deeper understanding of American culture by connecting with an American family who invited me to celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter with them. I even spent the final week of my travel month at their home, engaging in meaningful political discussions and learning about the various aspects of life in America, both positive and negative.
Additionally, the scholarship allowed me to explore diverse landscapes across the US. I traveled to Nevada, California, Illinois, and Louisiana, and visited national parks such as Yosemite and Yellowstone.
I will always cherish my time in the US and the invaluable life lessons I have gained. As a first generation academic, the scholarship made it possible for me to come to the US, and I wholeheartedly encourage anyone with similar aspirations to pursue this dream.
Charlyn at the Golden Gate Bridge