Elizabethtown College continued an ongoing international collaboration by welcoming students from the Konstanz University of Applied Sciences in Germany during the fall semester. The recent visit served as an opportunity to reciprocate the hospitality the Blue Jays received during their May 2025 study abroad trip to the German university.
Students engage in a firepit discussion with Etown Women’s Soccer Head Coach Amy Hough.
This ongoing international collaboration is part of the Geneva Program, a study abroad initiative led by Associate Professor of Economics Dr. Sanjay Paul as part of his International Organizations Seminar. By offering hands-on learning experiences at international briefing sessions, the program strengthens students’ ability to navigate and engage in foreign affairs.
“The Geneva program’s collaborative nature affords Etown and Konstanz students opportunities to learn from each other, engage in research projects, and get to know each other,” Paul said. “The talks at various international organizations bring home to students the range and nature of issues confronting the world and how they might be tackled.”
During their May study abroad trip, Etown students traveled alongside students from Konstanz, visiting cities in Switzerland and Germany. The groups attended international organizational seminars, shared meals, and stayed in the same hotels, providing Etown students with a unique opportunity to learn about German culture.
Etown students had the chance to return the hospitality by hosting Konstanz students on campus for their two-day visit in early September. The group gained valuable insight into American culture through visits to local businesses and historical sites, along with discussions with Etown faculty and alumni.
“I made so many invaluable connections amongst the group of German students, many of which I’ve continued to stay in touch with,” International Business major Mechelle Johnson-Reeves ’27 said. “This trip inspired me to explore a potential career path as a U.S. ambassador for the State Department.”
Their first day consisted of an introductory lesson on Amish history, followed by a tour of two local Amish businesses. That evening, students spoke with Amy Hough, Head Coach of the Elizabethtown College Women’s Soccer team, about the importance of unity and leadership, both on and off the field.
The following day featured an alumni panel featuring Jared Beachy ’23, Nicholas Hartz ’22, and Nicholas Lecatsas ’21, who shared the influential role the Geneva Program has had in their career journeys. The group also took in the local history by visiting the Winter Heritage Museum, located in Elizabethtown’s main square, and embarking on a walking tour of the town.
