"My name is Amanda and I joined the Finer English team in August 2010.  I was born and grew up in the Midwestern United States (Evansville, Indiana), where I developed a passion for the study of language; my first degree (Bachelor of Arts, University of Southern Indiana) is in English Literature.  This eventually branched into a passion for travel, and I set out on my first overseas teaching adventure to South Korea in 2005.

The three years I spent in South Korea were challenging and exciting for personal and professional reasons.  It was during that time that I met my husband (who is German and also works and teaches with Finer English) and really began to perceive myself as a teacher.  Nearly all of my acquired pedagogical knowledge up through 2008 came from the support and advice of other experienced teachers.  With a true respect for the value of cultural and academic exchange, I decided to professionalize my skills by enrolling in the International Master of Higher Education program at the University of Kassel in October 2009.

Coming to Kassel turned out to be an incredibly good decision.  I started teaching with Finer English shortly before finishing my MA and have been surprised, challenged, and enlightened every day since.  Traveling to different parts of the city to work with a variety of clients keeps the job interesting, while regular teacher meetings and social and professional interaction with fellow teachers offers continuous opportunities for reflection, exchange of ideas, and improvement.

To top it all off, the city of Kassel is surprisingly lively and international.  My husband and I have met students, teachers, and travelers from so many countries we’ve lost count!  There is no shortage of places in the city to meet, chat, hike, bike, sample the seasonal cuisine, drink fantastic German beer and even take in some live music.  I am, as the locals say, Freiwillig in Kassel."

Amanda Schimunek