Econ major wins Fulbright to teach in Germany

Jeremy Berger '06, an economics major and German minor from Milford, N.H., will teach English in Germany next year as a 2006 Fulbright Scholar. In the classroom, he will explore how both German and American cultures are portrayed in the media.

''As a student in advanced German classes, I benefited from reading articles in German magazines, listening to German pop music, watching films,'' Berger explained. ''I think that part of teaching English is talking about culture. I'd like to use newspaper particles written about Germany to begin a meaningful discussion of how Americans view Germany, how Germans view America, and to see if the media accurately characterizes this relationship.''

Berger gained media experience as a columnist for the Wheaton Wire, but that's just one of several prominent roles he has played on campus. A Presidential and Balfour Scholar and the recipient of a Wheaton Fellowship, Berger has been active in Wheaton Democrats, Students for Kerry, Students for Israel, Hillel, Model United Nations, the Student Government Association and as a tutor in economics and German. He has also worked for the New Hampshire Coalition for Human Rights and the John Kerry presidential campaign as a field organizer in New Hampshire. In 2005 Berger studied abroad at the Universität Regensburg in Bavaria.

''I'm excited to return to Germany to teach English,'' Berger said. ''Teaching will position me closer to a mutual cultural understanding with the people of Germany.''

Although Berger plans to attend graduate school after his Fulbright year to study either international law or journalism, he confesses that cooking is one of the passions nearest to his heart. French cooking is his favorite, and he believes that his proximity to the French border next year will open new culinary opportunities.

''In those regions of Germany that border France, they specialize in white asparagus,'' Berger said. ''I think that's something I want to explore.''