Student Spotlight: Philip Jolitz
Mr. Jolitz is a positive, energetic, and intelligent 20-year-old German student with the long-term goal of studying International Business. He originally heard about MIIS from a friend who lives in Los Angeles and after researching, decided the program is a good match. Mr. Jolitz was not interested in attending a big school where “you’re just a number in the system” and was pleased to learn about MIIS’ “small-group, intensive program”.
He says that the teachers are “advanced, experienced, and organized” and credits much of his learning to the fact that he speaks English “24 hours a day 7 days per week with friends, host family, teachers, whoever. It’s like your second native language after a while”.
When asked what his favorite experience over the past two months has been, Mr. Jolitz responded, “Taking part of this American life”. Since both of his parents had traveled and lived abroad themselves, they knew the tremendous personal and professional benefit of being experiencing other countries and encouraged Mr. Jolitz to do just that. With his parents as role models, Mr. Jolitz decided to come to the US and says it was “the best decision of my life”.
As Western cultures, there are, of course, many similarities between the US and Germany, but the whole process of becoming familiar with and a part of an environment that was once unknown is an extremely exciting and rewarding experience. This is Mr. Jolitz’ first time being on his own without his family or familiar people, but not only has he adapted, he’s thriving. He joined a Crossfit gym where he has made friends of all age. He’s also gotten to the point in his language abilities where he’s stopped translating everything and is now thinking in English. We’re proud to have Mr. Jolitz as a student and friend.
