Luther College graduates selected for Austrian Teaching Assistantship

Selected by The Austrian-American Educational Commission (AAEC), Luther College graduates, Madeleine Flom-Staab and Annelise Myers will be serving as U.S. Teaching Assistants in Austria for the 2020-21 academic year.

Administered by the Fulbright Commission, the AAEC has sent more than 3,000 college graduates to teach in Austria since 1962. Teaching assistants act as cultural ambassadors and promote mutual understanding across national borders. The program is funded primarily by direct contributions from the governments of the United States and Austria.

Madeleine Flom-Staab '20, from St. Paul, Minnesota, graduated with majors in German and psychology and a minor in social welfare. She has lived and studied in Germany in the past, and is looking forward to living in Austria "to gain a new linguistic and cultural perspective on German." She will serve as an English teaching assistant in two secondary schools in Berndorf which is only about an hour south of Vienna, Austria's capital city.

"I have always known that I want to work in an academic environment," said Flom-Staab. "I am excited about the opportunity to try it out."

Outside of the classroom, Flom-Staab would like to participate in community theater productions. After her year in Austria, she plans to continue her education to become a teacher or a school counselor.

Annelise Myers '20, from Charlottesville, Virginia, graduated with a major in German and minors in environmental studies and Russian studies. She is also looking forward to experiencing life in Austria after having lived and studied in Germany.

"The USTA program aligns well with my interests in teaching and the German language," Myers said.

She will serve as a teaching assistant at a teacher training college in Graz. In her free time, she plans to enjoy the local hiking trails and travel. After her USTA position ends, Myers hopes to work as an English teacher in Germany or Austria. She is currently completing certification in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL).

Zach Ziarnak, an anthropology major and classical studies minor from Barrington, Illinois, also received a USTA grant but is unable to accept the position.

Luther College is home to more than 1,900 undergraduates who explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities and society. Our 60+ academic programs, experiential approach to learning and welcoming community inspire students to learn actively, live purposefully and lead courageously for a lifetime of impact. Learn more at luther.edu.

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