#2022 wlog vol. 4

Hello from New York City!

I am very happy to announce that I got selected as fellow at the American Council on Germany (ACG).

Exactly 10 years ago I left the States full of tears. I didn’t want to leave all my friends and the person I had become over the past months.

You know, sometimes there is a different version of you when you go abroad - most of the times it is a “bolder, more curious, and more adventurous” version of you. Back then, I liked my U.S. American version of myself, specifically because I was more chilled and braver. So, I always wanted to go back one day, but not sure how and for what. What more, I wanted others to experience this feeling and state of being.

Thanks to LinkedIn, Andreas Dewald reached out at the beginning of the year and I re-joined the Fulbright Community. Little did I know at that time that by fall, I would be sitting in the plane heading to New York City, and working on something very exciting.

During my stay in Kentucky and later on, I realised that German-American relations are crucial and that they are not simply given. They need continuous work on multiple levels: on the state-level but especially on the individual level. Therefore, I feel extremely grateful to have the chance to contribute to the development of a stronger and more diverse transatlantic partnership, together with the ACG and Fulbright.

The ACG promotes transatlantic partnerships between Germany and the Unites States by connecting people from both sides and awarding fellowships to young transatlanticists.

I will spend the next two months in New York City and work on my research project, which assesses transatlantic relations from the digital perspective (more on that later). I will also have the opportunity to share my learnings and experiences (so pls let me know if you like to hear sth specific).

Also, hit me up if you’re around NYC and like to meet for a chatty coffee.

Lastly (and most importantly), huge thank you to awesome humans, who made all of that possible! Thanks to Mino (aka Amin Alraqeb), my brother. Thanks to Jochen Mankart und Clément Marsilli, two incredible awesome leaders. And a big thank you to Robin Cammarota!

Thanks to many more, who make life’s journey beautiful.