Studies will take Iolan overseas

Christian Kauth found himself in a dilemma many college students experience.
He was studying biology at Washburn University, when the epiphany hit.
“I was never that crazy about science,” he said.
That realization came to Kauth when he enrolled in a foreign language class.
“I knew I needed to take one, and figured I’d take German since I have German ancestry,” he explained. “I took it and thought, ‘Wow, I really like this class.’ I’d always had an interest in language and linguistics; more interested than (science.)”
So Kauth switched gears, choosing instead to double major in English and German.
His studies will take Kauth, 22, abroad for the next six months.
He leaves Feb. 28 to Osnabrueck, Germany, where he will study its native tongue up close for the next semester.
“I never thought going abroad would be something I’d be interested in doing,” he said. “But once I got into the German language, the cooler I thought it’d be.”
And now?
“I’m very excited,” he gushed. “I wish I could go now. My parents are a little more nervous about it.”
Kauth noted Washburn has a strong reputation for sending students abroad to expand their college experience.
“They have a great financial aid program to help students afford it,” he said.
He has several schoolmates going to Spain to study this semester. He’s the only Washburn student going to Germany.
His classes will run through July 31. He hopes to return stateside quickly after that — perhaps even taking his final exams online — in order to be back at Washburn when fall classes begin in mid-August.
“Over there, they don’t do any finals until after their semester ends,” he explained. “Their finals may last until September in some cases.”
Kauth is a 2012 Iola High School graduate.
He’s the son of Iolans Mark and Diane Kauth.
Kauth said he plans to pursue a teaching career.
“I’d love to teach German,” he said, “or, who knows. Maybe a translator job will open somewhere. Right now, my focus is to teach.”