Show your love for JYM – Valentine’s 2023
Last year, Junior Year in Munich Program Director, Lisabeth Hock, and the JYM cohort of 2021-22 launched a fundraising campaign called, "Show Your Love For JYM!"
We continued the tradition this year by asking members of the 2022-23 cohort and our alumni on our Facebook and Instagram pages to share their love for all things related to German, Munich, and JYM. Not surprisingly, the German language, love and friendship abroad, food offerings in Munich, and the beauty of Munich and its surroundings are favorites of JYMers from all generations.
As you remember your favorite things about JYM, please consider showing your love for the program by making a donation to our newly established Horst and Ingrid Daemmrich Endowed Fund for JYM Student Research and Internships, or to one of our other scholarship and support funds. Your support will help future generations to continue to have these incredible experiences and memories.
When it comes to love and friendship, James (Miami University of Ohio, JYM 2022-23) loves speaking dialect, and Michael (Wayne State University, JYM 2022-23) loves his German girlfriend--and being able to see her frequently! Rob Houck (University of Texas, JYM 1967-68) tells us, “I guess I love best the Germans I met - some of whom I still see. My American girl friend dumped me in my absence. It worked out fine.” Warren Knox (U of Maryland, JYM 1980-81) remembers: “For the better part of my JYM year, my girlfriend was a Norwegian au pair named Tove [meaning, as she proudly explained to me, "Beautiful Thor", Norse god of thunder, sky and agriculture], who was working for a wealthy family in Grünwald. The family had a governess and a maid, so Tove's duties were minimal, consisting primarily of imbibing champagne with the lady of the house while the husband was away on one of his frequent extended business trips. When I spent the night, Madame would send her little daughter down to us in Tove's room with a bottle of very fine wine [which was wasted on me, I am no connoisseur], it was so cute. I had met Tove by introducing myself to her at the Chinesischer Turm, giving her a rose purchased from an itinerant vendor, and telling her she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. She rolled her eyes, snorted, snatched the rose, and proceeded to eat the petals. I knew right away she was the one for me. On Valentine's Day she taught me how to say "Ich liebe dich" in Norwegian ["Jeg elsker deg"]. At the end of my JYM year we said our tearful goodbyes, stayed in touch for another year or so, and then drifted apart. I wonder what she is doing these days.”
Lorraine Posch (U New Hampshire, JYM 2014-15) tells us, “Phil McHenry (U New Hampshire, JYM 2016-17) and I met around Valentine's Day at UNH when I was sharing about my JYM experience at a re-entry workshop - he had studied for a short period in Berlin, and was interested in studying for a whole year in Munich. I convinced him to do the program, and I ended up joining him in Munich. We are so grateful we have shared memories of JYM and Munich, and I am thankful that JYM brought us together in a somewhat unconventional way.”
Pictures are worth 1000 words, and Susanne Schultz (Nazareth College) sent us this picture of herself with Martin Norman (U Maryland) from their JYM year in 1980-81.
Bridget Gallagher (American University, JYM 2021-22) sent us this pic from last year’s Valentine’s Day with the caption: “The love that I have for my JYM friends still remains stronger than ever chosen family!!”
Memories of good food and drink were numerous: Trevor (Wayne State University, JYM 22-23) appreciates the beer and pretzels that are part and parcel of Oktoberfest, while River (Georgetown University, JYM 22-23) frequents the DönerTreff near Olydorf. Lexie (Wayne State University) and Katie (American University) like the beer and Denglish puns.
Rob Houck remembers being able to eat at Isabellahof when he had the money to do so at the beginning of the month. He and Susan (Schrickel) Mann (U Illinois Champaign, JYM 1970-71) agree that the Schnitzels there were quite delectable. Susan Henricksen Thompson (Wheaton College, JYM 1975-76) remembers the Schnecken and Nusshörnchen from Höflinger and the Käsekirchsahnekuchen at the now-closed Hoch Cafe across from Glockenspiel at Marienplatz.
Renee Rusden Keator (Immaculata College, JYM 1995-96) named her German Shepherd Auggie and asks, “need I say more?” to which we answer, “of course not!”
Susan Mann reminds us that the simplest pleasures are often the most memorable: Her favorite snack: “the chocolate bars available 24/7 from the outdoor vending machine at the Konditorei across the street from our apartment at Nordendstrasse 52!”
Hiking, biking, swimming, skiing, and just hanging out in beautiful places are all part of the JYM experience, which is why Kendra (Grand Valley State University, JYM 22023) appreciates the forests and mountains around Munich, and her fellow GVSU alum, Ryan Bond (JYM 1997-98), recalls Ilkahöhe, mit dem kleinen Biergarten (Forsthaus).
Susan Mann’s favorite spot was „the gardens at Schloss Nymphenburg. Easy ride on the S-Bahn to get there, and usually very quiet and deserted in the gardens. Lovely winter or summer!” Amanda Kastello Dietrick (Northwestern University, JYM 1993-94) remembers “Andechs!” and Susan Sexton (Hood College, JYM 2010-2011) the Englischer Garten. Warren Knox’s memory captures the essence of summer in Munich: “Bonfire on the Flaucher, beer in the river, everybody groovin'.”
We all love JYM, and we thank you for being a part of our family and for your ongoing support.
