Martina Hunkler

Martina Hunkler was born in Heidelberg and grew up in Brühl, hometown of the famous German tennis player Steffi Graf. Ms. Hunkler went to school (Gymnasium) in Mannheim. After her graduation, she spent six months in South Hamilton, Mass. (about 45 minutes from Boston), as an au pair for a 13-year-old girl with Down syndrome.

"Upon leaving I promised myself I would return at some point, because I really love this country," she says.

She has been studying English, Latin and History at Heidelberg University since 2004. When she returns to Germany, she will take her final exams (First State Exam). After that she will enter a 16-month teacher training course and take a Second State Exam. "Then I will finally be allowed to teach my subjects in Gymnasium, which is attended by 10- to 18- and 19–year-old students."

"I came to Carthage to gain more teaching experience and to polish my English skills for my exams and my later teaching career,” she says. “It is also very interesting for me to work at a college and to become familiar with the proceedings and the life that students lead here."

Because she has visited the United States before, she didn’t have much culture shock upon her arrival. She was also prepared for some homesickness and missing friends at home.

"I feel like I have been here for a long time already, and the house I am sharing with a Japanese and Spanish TLE feels like home," she says. "All the people working on campus are open, always friendly and very helpful. I like the classes I am teaching very much, and I am most positively surprised by the students' interest and their hard-working attitude. They inspire me to work hard as I prepare for the classes I teach (under the helpful guidance of my supervisor) and the classes I take. In my role as a student at Carthage, I have also met a lot of people from all over the world, which is truly wonderful."

"I am very happy to be here, and I would not want to miss this experience for a sack of gold or a plate of German Spätzle!"

Meet the TLEs

Julien Berteraut
"Coming here was a way for me to learn about the American culture, improve my listening and speaking skills, and be in an environment where I could learn from others."

Audrey Dehdouh
"I am currently teaching French at Carthage and studying to complete a Master's in General Education."

Nozomi Fukazawa
"I'm really enjoying meeting people who have a different background from mine, and having precious experiences with them here."

Carolin Hellwig
"My experiences in Kenosha are so far wonderful: working with amazing people, living with international friends, and the life as a teacher as well as student is incredible."

Martina Hunkler
"I am very happy to be here and I would not want to miss this experience for sack of gold or a plate of German Spätzle!"

Claudia Rodriguez
"Living with people of six different countries has enriched my perspective about the world."

Miguel Rojo
TLE Miguel Rojo came to the United States immediately after finishing school, eager to learn more about American life.

Sergio Salazar
"I became a teacher four years ago and found the reward I never thought to find in a job. Indeed teaching is both my profession and my hobby."

Miguel Ángel Santos
Miguel said he's grateful to be doing what he enjoys most: combining traveling, languages, culture sharing, and teaching.

Niki Sugiyama
Niki was motivated to learn English by American culture. "I dreamed of talking with Michael Jordan some day!" she said.

Ruth Solarte
"My wish is that when the students leave the classroom, they feel that they have acquired more than the Spanish basics.”

Shuhong Zhao
Shuhong Zhao, from Beijing, China, is in the United States for the first time and is teaching Chinese 101.