My Interview

I had my interview with the city's public relations representative on Friday. I thought you might like to read the translation of the article that is being published in the paper, complete with a picture of me! The paper is not just available in Straelen but other surrounding districts as well, such as Düsseldorf. The article might become available online, so I will let you know. But here is the English translation. Some parts might sound funny because of the language difference.
"Her smile was worthy of every toothpaste commercial. White teeth and brown eyes compete with brunette hair. The conversation is about Barbara Ashley, the 23 year old American practicum student from Athens, Georgia. She will work at Wasserstraelen until May 2. She took the job because she wanted to learn German and learn something from the Germans.
In the aquatic fitness center, Wasserstraelen, she brings with her what she studies. She assists the sport scientists with their children’s swimming classes and baby swimming classes. Sometimes you see her at the reception desk or in the bistro. The children find it totally exciting to test their English knowledge, and they have a lot of fun with that. Barbara Ashley transfers her theoretical knowledge form her studies at the University into the practical work. She studies health and public behavior, which is a field that consists of exercise and sport as well as diet and nursing. Later she can work as a therapist, a nurse, or a physical fitness advisor at companies. She exchanges her experience in the field of primary prevention with the sport scientists, and she will prepare a portfolio for her studies. The internship in the fitness center of Straelen is comparable to a semester. Without written documentation of the internship work, she will not graduate.
Not only is the work a win-win situation, but she has also made good personal experiences. The roots of the family on her mother’s side lie near Fulda. Her relatives still live there, and she already visited them. In the city of flowers, she has experienced a lot of positive things. “I have very good contacts to the apprentices of the “Meister Klasse.” I live in the same dorm as them. It was relatively easy to get into contact with them. They accepted me in their circle and took me to events on the weekend.” She went with them to Köln for Karneval and her “Alaaf” is perfect. In order to improve her German, she is attending an advanced German class at the People’s High School in Geldern. “I drive there with a stick-shift car. My car in Georgia has, as many others, automatic transmission. I enjoy riding my bike to work,” she says as she flashes her white teeth."