Olivia Feldman ’12 has been selected as one of only two Americans to participate in the Bundestag Youth Encounter Program as a guest of the German government. The program will be held in Berlin Jan. 22 – 27.
The Youth Encounter Program is a gathering of university students and young professionals, and coincides with the German National Day of Remembrance of the victims of National Socialism. Every year on January 27, a ceremony of remembrance is held at the Bundestag, with those who witnessed the Holocaust first-hand invited to give speeches.
In Summer 2011, Feldman participated in the program, “Germany Close Up – American Jews Meet Modern Germany”. The Germany Close Up program provides Jewish American students and young professionals an opportunity to experience modern Germany up close and personally. Program participants visit sites of historical events, partake in aspects of contemporary Jewish life in Germany, meet with Germans of all backgrounds while encountering Germany’s different facets in Berlin and other venues. Michelle Wrightman ’12 also participated in the Germany Close Up program.
“Participating in Germany Close Up gave me a deep understanding of the relationship Germans and Jews in Germany have with this past, particularly through learning about the process of reconciliation that has become a part of their national identity. I learned more about Germany in this 10-day fellowship than I ever expected and I have continued to do further research at Elon in many of the subjects we discussed during the program” Feldman said.
Feldman studied in Heidelberg during her junior year at Elon. She is majoring in International Studies and Art History, and minoring in German Studies and Classical Studies.
