Ashley Schusselberg, an accomplished soprano, participated in a prestigious seven-week German exchange fellowship. The Middlebury Language Schools required her to speak exclusively in German, enabling her to form a deep and authentic connection to the language. A key aspect of her experience was engaging with German through her Jewish heritage, studying pivotal moments in Jewish history. This approach gave her a profound, personal insight into Jewish-German relations. The fellowship reshaped her perspective on language learning, highlighting the vital role of immersion in developing both linguistic proficiency and cultural understanding. Highlighting the significance of the experience, Ashley expressed:“ I left the program with a much greater appreciation for the complexity and richness of the German language and culture and its relevance to my personal journey. The program also gave me the opportunity to travel to Germany for the first time and reinforced my interests in pursuing a Fulbright while providing me with further connections in Germany to supplement my application. This experience offered an emotional and personal understanding unlike anything I had encountered before, profoundly shaping my identity and perspective.”