Press Release

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Doug Stone or Barbara Laskin
651-696-6203

Edina, Minn., Native Awarded Fulbright Teaching Assistantship to Germany

St. Paul, Minn. – Ann Mary Berge of Edina, Minn., has been awarded a Pädagogischer Austauschdienst Teaching Assistantship to Germany.  Berge, who majored in German Studies and minored in Environmental Studies, graduated at Macalester College’s 118th Commencement on May 12, 2007.  She is the daughter of Jeff and Joan Berge of Edina, Minn. She graduated from Edina High School in Edina, Minn.

U.S. Student Teaching Assistantships in English (ETA) are offered in many countries worldwide. Each ETA Program is designed by the host country, and individual elements may vary by country. The Fulbright ETA program has grown rapidly over the last two years.

In most cases, ETAs are placed in schools or universities outside of capital cities; are assigned various activities designed to improve their students' language abilities and knowledge of the United States; are fully integrated into the host community, increasing their own language skills and knowledge of the host country; may pursue individual study/research plans in addition to ETA responsibilities and have some background or training in education and/or teaching English.

Berge has had academic and business experiences abroad in German-speaking countries and has taught middle to high school age students. “While not in the classroom, I plan to research and interview young first and second generation female immigrants, particularly focusing on shifts in feminine identity upon arriving in Germany."

During the Commencement ceremony, Macalester College President Brian Rosenberg presented diplomas to 462 graduating seniors.  Marian Wright Edelman, founder and president of the Children's Defense Fund (CDF), gave the keynote address. 

Macalester College, founded in 1874, is a national liberal arts college with a full-time enrollment of 1,884 students. Macalester is nationally recognized for its long-standing commitment to academic excellence, internationalism, multiculturalism and civic engagement.