Piedmont pair named to new international student exchange organization

DEMOREST - A new partnership between governments and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic to promote internships in the U.S. for German students will include Piedmont College President Dr. James F. Mellichamp and Professor of German Monika Schulte.

The two recently traveled to Munich for a meeting with representatives from German universities and cultural institutions, the American Chamber of Commerce, the American Consul General, and a number of German businesses to form the new organizations, called the German American Exchange. Schulte was elected as an officer of the organization, while Mellichamp was appointed to the Board of Directors.

"For the past five years, Piedmont College has participated in a program through the German-American Chamber of Commerce to provide paid internships for Piedmont students at American companies in Germany," Mellichamp said. "Our students have enjoyed placements with very distinguished firms such as Pfizer, Fresenius, Marriott, Avon, and others. These internships allow them to gain very important international business skills as well as an opportunity to broaden their understanding of German culture."

Mellichamp said that "building on the success of this initial venture, it was determined that a separate organization might be developed to coordinate this program and to expand the program so that German students could have similar opportunities in the United States." Initially the program will focus on internships in the Southeast U.S., he said.

Schulte said the Exchange program will allow German students to work with host companies in a business environment to gain a better insight into the U.S. economy. "For my students who have participated in internships in Germany, the positive effect is immediately evident," she said. "They show improved language skills, discuss ambitious new career plans, and converse with a greater awareness of world issues."

While the German American Exchange is still organizing, businesses that would like more information about the internship program can contact Schulte at [email protected].