Daniel Greg, a Lutheran pastor, has seen the benefits of his German studies both in his academics and in his ability to connect with others.
I graduated in 2017 with a triple major in German, theology, and English.
My favorite memories were language immersion retreats; making a German-language documentary about a business in Hermann, MO; and of course, studying abroad in Heidelberg, Germany. Living with three German roommates and becoming their close friend changed my life and speaking ability forever.
If you are in business school or studying history or theology, you cannot go wrong with expanding your horizons to speak the heart-language of some of the smartest minds, kindest souls, strongest faiths, and greatest artists of all time, history, and today.
I recently completed my Lutheran M.Div. program and have been called to pastor a parish in Illinois.
At first, my German major helped me to understand the grammar of Koine Greek and later Hebrew. I then began to use it to communicate with international students from Brazil and Germany in my master's program. I also am blessed to be able to pray and speak with homebound church members whose heart-language is German. This brings me great joy.
I also am constantly reading foundational religious texts in its original German. If I wish to pursue a Ph.D., I will need to pass German exams and be able to use German for research and publishing.