April 5, 2024
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Montclair German educators have a strong passion for accompanying students on various journeys, whether it is Dr. Thomas Herold’s educational trip to Munich and Berlin to explore the intricate history of Nazi cinema and propaganda, or a day trip to Manhattan to immerse themselves in the diverse languages spoken on the streets and the cultural richness of the Thannhauser Collection at the NYC Guggenheim.
The Thannhauser Collection stands out as a remarkable assembly of artworks by French, Dutch, Swiss, and German artists such as Degas, Manet, van Gogh, Franz Marc, Kandinsky, Paul Klee, among others. Students delved into the vibrant colors of the “Blaue Reiter” movement and discovered that Thannhauser’s Moderne Galerie in Munich was the site of one of the earliest Picasso exhibitions in Germany back in 1913.
Moreover, students had the opportunity to explore the current exhibition titled “Going Dark: The Contemporary Figure at the Edge of Visibility,” a compelling showcase delving into Black and African American identities through innovative artworks featuring elements like disembodied hoodies and spectral figures moving through a green room. It was a day filled with unique encounters as students reunited with family members at the museum, overheard German tourists conversing in public spaces, interacted with peers from different language proficiency levels, and even befriended a British family where the mother had previously taught German in the UK.
To conclude the day, students enjoyed a meal at Reichenbach Hall near Penn Station, known for its year-round Oktoberfest celebrations. They savored dishes like Schnitzel, Spätzle, Hühnersuppe, Obatzda, and Riesenbrezeln, served on traditional Munich communal tables beneath wagon-wheel chandeliers and blue checked Bavarian flags. Surrounded by German native speakers on their breaks and immersed in German sayings adorning the walls, as well as Oktoberfest music playing in the background, students were transported to a festive Munich ambiance. With phrases like “Keine Angst,” “Angestellte müssen ihre Hände Waschen,” “Das ist mir furzegal,” “Ich habe Durst,” “Das Leben ist gut,” and “Bis später” decorating the bathroom tiles, one could easily believe they had been whisked away to Europe for the afternoon.
Throughout the day, students honed their German language skills, engaging in a “Super-Quiz-Spiel” geography trivia game, exchanging etymological insights on the train, sharing tips on affordable data and phone plans in Munich, swapping stories from past study abroad experiences, and brainstorming future travel adventures.
Dr. LaFountain finds great joy in fostering a spirit of exploration and witnessing students encouraging each other’s global aspirations during such trips. The students valued both the art and the multicultural encounters, with one student expressing, “Ich habe die geheime Ausstellung der Überwachungsmonitore genossen,” while another remarked, “My favorite part of the trip was meeting foreigners and seeing famous paintings in person!” As the day came to a close, students were even more enthusiastic about embarking on their next adventures, perhaps considering a summer, semester, or year abroad experience!