Perhaps you, like Laura Schlosnagle, had a particular major in mind when you moved into your first college dorm room as a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed first-year. It is even likely that, like Schlosnagle, you changed your mind about your major once you started taking classes. But how many of you picked up an extra major during your last semester here? Schlosnagle did, and will have the opportunity to combine her two areas of study when she uses a Fulbright Fellowship to teach English in Germany next year.

A last-minute major

At the beginning of the spring semester this year, Schlosnagle decided to add German as her second major. (English is her first.) In order to complete both majors, Schlosnagle had to take extra courses, but she was certainly up for the challenge. "I ended up taking five classes, four German, one English," she explained.

Schlosnagle had never worked so hard while at Amherst, but noted that despite the huge number of assignments, the work was worth the effort. "I've definitely had more work than I've had any other semester, but it's been really rewarding, so I'm glad I did it," she said. "For most of the semester I found myself in a situation where I was doing work constantly, but I was genuinely enjoying all of my classes, which I don't think has happened any other semester."

While it is clear that Schlosnagle did not always anticipate being a German major, she did not even always plan to be an English major. "Freshman year I wanted to be a physics major, but after eight weeks of Physics 32 it became quite clear that that wasn't going to work out," she said. Instead, Schlosnagle declared her English major during her sophomore year.

In-depth in England

Schlosnagle took her English experiences at the College abroad during the second semester of her junior year when she studied in Bristol, England. She chose England because of her English literature concentration within her major. "Since I needed credits for my major, England seemed like the logical choice," she said.

For Schlosnagle, studying abroad was an extremely valuable experience. "Academically, I had a really exciting experience at Bristol," she said. "Their program was structured so that English majors took only two seminars each semester, and that allowed one to really delve into the subject matter."

Schlosnagle added that the intensity of the courses allowed her to develop a greater appreciation for the material. "I feel like I have a much deeper understanding of the material I read there than in some Amherst courses where I've felt as if I've only scratched the surface," she said.

Cultural exchanges

England was not the extent of Schlosnagle's experiences abroad. In the summer between her sophomore and junior years she participated in Projekt Grosser Grenzverkehr, a service program run by the German organization Miteinander e. V. "I was in a small town called Bismark in Sachsen-Anhalt, a part of the former German Democratic Republic," she explained.

There, Schlosnagle experienced a less academic aspect of life abroad; she worked to combat extremism by working with German youth. "The goal of the program is to send American and British college students to rural areas in the former east to work at youth organizations in those areas," she said. "It is an effort to combat right-wing extremism by introducing German youth to people of other cultures and to introduce a neutral party to facilitate conversation and interaction between youth on both sides of the former inner German border."

The combination of an English major, a German major and a summer working with German youth laid the groundwork for Schlosnagle to apply for, and ultimately win, a Fulbright. Like the summer program in which Schlosnagle participated in 2003, the Fulbright program is designed to increase the "mutual understanding" between people of other cultures, according to the U.S. State Department Web site.

The Fulbright award will allow Schlosnagle to spend next year working as a teaching assistant in a high school English class in Baden-Württemberg, although she is still unsure of the specific city and school.

Schlosnagle is looking forward to being immersed in the German environment. "I applied because I didn't study abroad in Germany, and I am eager to have the opportunity to improve my fluency, which I think can only really be effective if one lives with the language every day," she explained. The work will also allow Schlosnagle to determine whether a career in the field of education is one she wants to pursue for the future.

The right decision?

After four years and work in three countries, Schlosnagle is satisfied with her decision to come to Amherst. "On the positive side I've made amazing friends at Amherst. I have tremendous respect for the German department and all the academic opportunities and moral support they have given me, especially this year," she said. "I know that Amherst has played a part in my achievement of opportunities like the Fulbright, and I'm very grateful for that."

Still, Schlosnagle has had some reservations. "On the other hand I find the divide between the liberal arts world and the real world somewhat disturbing, especially the dismissal of the worth and/or necessity of careers outside the academic realm," she said.

But ultimately, Schlosnagle believes she made the right decision. "Overall I am satisfied with my decision," she said. "I think I'll have a much clearer perception of the real result of spending four years at Amherst after I've spent some time away."

A serious performer

English and German (and a few introductory weeks of physics) have not been all that have shaped Schlosnagle's experiences at Amherst; she is a talented oboist who has performed with the Amherst College Symphony Orchestra and many small chamber groups. Schlosnagle has even brought her work into the Five-College community by taking lessons with an adjunct professor at UMass, working ultimately to perform a concerto with the College Orchestra during the first semester of her junior year, an honor reserved for only the most talented musicians.

Professors of German Ute Brandes and Christian Rogow-

ski both attested to Schlosnagle's immense musical skills when they referenced her concerto concert. "I was struck by her wonderful talent as a serious musical performer," said Brandes. "Her serious commitment to classical music never interfered with her class work. I'm impressed by her many skills."

Schlosnagle's friend and first-year roommate Jennifer Morash '05 also remarked about Schlosnagle's musical abilities and her success. "I had always known that she was a talented oboist, but it's quite another thing to hear beautiful proof of that," she said.

A practical jokester

Morash and Schlosnagle met on their first day of orientation. "We were both pretty nervous, I think, so I remember thinking she was pretty quiet, but, remembering from our phone conversation that she played in orchestra, I hoped that we would have some things in common," Morash said. "In some ways, my first impression was correct. Laura is quiet around people she does not know well, but, among her friends, she's outgoing and sarcastic (in a good way!)."

Schlosnagle opened up to her peers, particularly when she and her hallmates in the pre-renovation North Dormitory played jokes on each other. The best of the jokes was one involving almost the entire floor.

According to Schlosnagle, there were far more females than males on her floor. "We girls successfully got all the guys to be in the same room (the only one where they couldn't get out the window) at the same time," she said. "Then we used duct tape and a bike frame to lock them in from the outside. One of the guys put his foot on the door frame and pulled on the handle until he accidentally ripped it out of the door and went crashing backwards into a mirror, which shattered (no one got hurt). It was hilarious."

Loyal and encouraging

Morash explained that Schlosnagle is more than just the jokester duct-taping her hallmates in a room. "As a friend, Laura is one of the most loyal that you could have. Once you've established a friendship with her, she's in it for the long haul. She's incredibly giving, and always willing to help out running errands or making food," she said. "Our class schedules were very similar this semester, and we ended up having breakfast together most mornings during the week. Laura's funny comments and witty remarks gave me a good start to the day."

For Morash, one of Schlosnagle's best features is her ability to take note of each of her friends' needs. "Laura keeps her close circle of friends very intimate," said Morash. "That also means that she is very attentive to each one."

Brandes also formed similar impressions of Schlosnagle through their interaction in the classroom. "Laura is a most pleasant and mature person," he said. "A particular air of tranquility and optimism in her personality make her a wonderful person to be with.

"Initially, I knew Laura as a bright, serene, and studious person-a great student to have in class," he added. Brandes also noted one particular discussion Schlosnagle led in class which "excelled in ... showing off her surprising pedagogical skills in motivating others to join in the discussion. I observed with pleasure her knack of involving everyone with her humor and personal encouragement."

Rogowski, like Morash, also praised Schlosnagle's humor. "Laura may appear to be a quiet person, but underneath that exterior there lurks a sharp mind with an endearingly understated, dry sense of humor," he said. "In class, she tends to be quiet ... but in her papers her keen intelligence and sharp wit come through, a hard worker who knows how to pace herself, smart and engaging. She will constantly surprise you with the intelligent and creative connections she makes between issues and things."