From Study Abroad to an Internship with STIHL
Tanner Martin ‘17 (Business and German Studies) studied abroad at the the Goethe Institut in Munich, Germany in spring 2016. Study abroad enabled him to realize two lifelong dreams: becoming fluent in German and playing soccer with a German team. With local connections and friendships, Tanner’s knowledge of the German language and German culture deepened considerably in only a few months.
Tanner learned many valuable lessons living and studying in Munich. As he explains, "Studying abroad not only developed my goal of becoming a vocal global citizen, but it also changed my goal in life.” While abroad, Tanner realized that he wants to work for an international company based in the United States. “Working for an international company will allow me to actively practice being a global citizen, as I continue to visit different communities and interact with people from all over the world.”
After returning to the Virginia Wesleyan campus in fall 2016, Tanner landed a prestigious full-time internship at STIHL, a leading German company with worldwide operations and a US headquarters in Virginia Beach. Tanner recognizes how his study abroad experience paved his personal pathway to STIHL and beyond. “This international firm will allow me to continue practicing the global ambassadorship skills that I developed while studying in Germany. I credit my study abroad experience for helping me to secure this position."