Libby Richardson David Riley Samuel Roberts Shelby Roberts Chelsea Robertson Kendal Rogers Jillian Romero Jeremiah Rose Kristen Rose Kelley Rufkahr Zachary Russell Amadeus Sanchez Martinez Dorothy Sandefur Ashley Sanders Bekah Sanders Victoria Sapp Rowdy Sarrett Kimberly Scanlon Samantha Schroy Caleb Schultz Jennifer Schuth Amy Scott Courtney Sellers Putu Aprillina Setyawati Freshman Jenny Reichel carried on a third-generation family tradition when she decided to attend Harding. She, her grandfather and her parents, all of whom were German born and raised, traveled all the way to Arkansas for a taste of a Christian university. Reichel's grandfather graduated from Harding in 1953 and taught as visiting professor of missions from 1971-72. Her father and his siblings attended Harding Academy and then Harding University. According to Reichel, Christian universities in Germany were almost nonexistent. As a psychology student, Reichel had the opportunity to study the subject from a Christian viewpoint, which would have been nearly impossible in Germany. Reichel was interested in using the skills she learned to do mission work internationally in places such as Africa. Reichel did not plan to graduate from Harding. Instead, she wanted to spend a year at Harding to gain a well-rounded, Christian education then transfer to a university in Germany to complete her degree. According to freshmanAnna Waldrum, Reichel adjusted well to the culture in America. Though Reichel struggled with the grammatical rules of classroom English, she spoke proficiently. "Besides her accent, there is not much I could pick out that would make her stand out as a foreign exchange student," Waldrum said. "She seems to really embrace learning about America." Although Reichel enjoyed living an American life, she missed several aspects of life in her homeland, including the food. "In Germany in general we eat more healthy, especially my family," 176 I People Reichel said. "We eat a lot of Italian food too, and vegetables. Not so much fried food." Reichel also said she missed her family. The ?-hour time difference made it difficult to keep in contact with her parents and her 12-year-old brother. Additionally, Reichel noticed that social interactions between Germans and Americans was different. "Here I have to pay a lot more attention that I am not too direct and too rude because in Germany, I would say, we are not so polite all the time," Reichel said. "Here I think you are more afraid that you could hurt other people." Despite social differences, Reichel endeared herself to people through her sunny disposition and her kindness. Reichel's roommate, freshman Brooke Shaffer, said she thought God played a part in putting the two together in the dorm. She was thankful for the opportunity to help teach Reichel about American culture and also to learn about the German culture. "It is kind of cool how two cultures can come together because I did not know anything about Germany really," Shaffer said. "She came in, and she has taught me that whenever you go to eat you say, 'Guten Appetite.' It is just the proper thing to do. It is just kind of cool how we can teach each other how to do what each culture does." Reichel said she was excited to become more involved in campus activities like clubs and sports. She wanted to take away great memories from her time in America at Harding. Jordan Honeycutt
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTc5NA==