Dear students and parents!

My name is Bernhard “Benny” Purk. I’m 25 years old. I’m from the USA and I am the English Assistant teacher at the Hans-Sachs Gymnasium this school year.

I am from the state of Georgia, the so-called “Peach State”, because Georgia is famous for its peaches. The city where I was born, is a small town called Cleveland, not to be confused with Cleveland, Ohio. (there are over 20 cities in the US with the name Cleveland). Cleveland, Georgia is a rural area and it’s about 1½ hours by car northeast of Atlanta, Georgia’s capital. Cleveland is surrounded by beautiful mountains and forests, and tourists come from all around to hike, fish, and camp. Helen is a neighboring town that is also an alpine village, and it is known for having the alleged “world’s longest Oktoberfest” running from the second week of September until November. Helen is also one of Georgia’s top tourist attractions!

I would like to share just a little bit about myself and my hobbies.  I received my Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from the University of North Georgia in 2018. Because I enjoy working with others and love learning about other cultures, I thought it would be exciting to perhaps someday work as a diplomat. However, for the time being, teaching has been very enjoyable and fulfilling. I’m also a big fan of music and I love learning languages. I really enjoy listening to music from other countries and it’s also a great way to learn another language. In addition to English, I speak German, Spanish, and some French. Music is one of my main motivations for learning these languages, and little by little, day by day, by learning song texts and singing along, I’m actively improving my language skills.

Initially I had never thought I would one day be a teacher, even though my father was one, but after I finished my studies, there were so many amazing opportunities to teach English abroad as an assistant teacher, and when I had learned that I would be receiving a Fulbright grant to do just that, I jumped on the opportunity. I began teaching last year, at two schools in Fürth and Langenzenn, and had such a great time I decided to stay for one more year, and was delighted to learn that I would be teaching in Nürnberg at Hans-Sachs.

Although I’m here to teach, the main reason I chose to teach English in Germany, was to improve my German and learn more about the culture. Although I have been to Germany several times before, I never really had the feeling that the three months allowed on my visa was enough time to really fully immerse myself in the culture and the language. This teaching assistant position, on the other hand, allows me to stay a full year. After having lived in Germany for almost 2 years now I’ve met so many amazing people, and everyday I’m learning something new, including a little “Fränkisch”.

Another reason I chose to come to Germany over other countries, was to be closer to friends and family. My mom, originally from the Swabian Alb, and my Grandma and extended family all still live there. I make sure to visit them whenever I can, and my Grandma in particular, is excited that she’s able to see me more often. I make sure to call her weekly to share my experiences and check in on her, and to practice my German, since she does not speak a word of English.

I’ve been helping with classes at Hans-Sachs since September, and I’ve had the opportunity to work with some amazing teachers and students. I’m really excited to be here, and it’s been a great experience helping the students improve their English and giving them a better understanding of the US and US culture.  I believe I may be the first American that some of my students have ever met, so it’s been really interesting answering their questions about topics like school, politics, sports, etc. Many Germans only know American schools through TV shows, and one question I always get is if American High Schools are really like they are portrayed on TV. The answer is not exactly, but it’s not too far off. In American High schools sports are very important, and very much a part of the school atmosphere. American football, basketball, and baseball for example, are huge sports in the US. Especially in small towns like the one I come from, whenever there is a big high school game, the whole town comes out to see it. For some smaller towns, high school football is everything. Another question I get a lot is whether I’ve ever ridden on a real yellow school bus, and the answer is yes, but it’s not that great. The school buses in the US are often loud, uncomfortable, and cramped. It’s a lot nicer if your parents can drive you home instead.

I’m still trying to manage all the names of the students I’ve worked with since there are so many. Sometimes I feel like a bit of a celebrity because so many students stop me in the hall to say “Hi”. I’ve loved every minute of my time at Hans-Sachs and in Germany. Can’t wait for what’s still to come 🙂

Benny