Knox Student Uses Competitive Study Abroad Grant for Year in Berlin

Sarah Henderson ‘20 received an award from the German Academic Exchange Service, known by its German acronym DAAD, to spend the 2018-19 academic year in Berlin. During her time abroad she will continue her education in political science, complete an internship, and sharpen her language skills.

A Modern Languages and Political Science double-major, Henderson plans to use the experience to build her capabilities as a leader.

“I am thinking of a career in nonprofit or NGO work, perhaps even working with climate refugees. My time in Berlin will give me some experience in this field, but I am also flexible in my career goals,” Henderson said. She attributes her passion for social justice to her Jesuit high school and says that Knox coursework motivated her to use her advantages to find solutions for others.

Associate Professor of Modern Languages Todd Heidt said that Henderson’s application most likely stood out due to the “type of bilingual she will become,” one who uses a second language to enrich her success in another area.

“There is a mountain of evidence that having skills in both a foreign language and another field of study is key to U.S. economics, research, diplomacy and security,” Heidt said. “Sarah's language and cultural fluency will enable her to be a categorically different kind of critical thinker and communicator than others in her field.”

Henderson’s award marks the 11th competitive award that Knox students and faculty have received from DAAD in the last five years.

“The fact that our entire campus stands behind study abroad helps a program like German enjoy tremendous success with organizations like DAAD, Fulbright, and others,” Heidt said. “We would not have those numbers without a lot of work from our colleagues across campus mentoring these students.”