Staff Spotlight: Abigail Lynch

I am the Manager of University Relations here at CEPA Foundation. I studied Humanities in my home state of Wisconsin. After, I worked in politics a few years as an aide to legislators and doing campaign work before jumping over the big pond.

I did study abroad! It was honestly the best experience. I was 16 years old and the only American in my program, where there were over 40 different nationalities. I lived in a dorm with almost 30 other ladies. It was a dream! We had so much fun together.

I was in Oxford, England and I was inspired by my siblings’ stories of studying abroad. I wish I could go back in time and visit of few of those really special memories again.

We have really exciting things happening at CEPA Foundation. In 2014, we’re launching several new programs, a symposium and webinar once a semester, and great service learning opportunities. You’ll have to visit our facebook, twitter, or website to get the most up-to-date information.

I see the trend moving more and more towards transatlantic cooperation, which will improve the study abroad opportunities. I hope it becomes easier to be apart of the international dialogue – greater international internships, fellowships, and leadership trainings – not only with other American students but true interaction with global counterparts.

As an American living in Germany, I am fully immersed in the language learning process (as we speak). It is so interesting as you learn more there is more to learn, but it is really fun to learn to express yourself in another way (different sounds, words, ways of communicating). Learning a language is not only about the grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary. It is so much about the culture that is deeply imbedded in the language. In order to really communicate in another language, you have to spend time in that culture to understand how they use their language. What a treat that they give you the chance!