By John Tenhunen, JY 1966-67

On September 16, 1966, fifty students in their Junior Year at colleges distributed across the USA, sailed from New York on the SS Rotterdam with the destination Freiburg, Germany. Their personal goals were to broaden their knowledge of the world and to learn first hand about  other cultures, other languages and history.

These participants in the Junior Year in Freiburg (JYF) class of 1966-67 grew up in a post-World War II atmosphere strongly influenced on the one hand by anti-communism rhetoric, but at the same time idealism suggesting that world problems could be solved, and that a role as contributor to that effort was open to everyone.

We who were shattered during our high school education by the assassination of John F. Kennedy were optimistically dedicated to the values of equality and democracy that he promoted, and keen to share our beliefs and experiences with others. We were a fortunate group led by mentors in Freiburg who realized that each new young generation holds the key to world improvement, and mentors who were committed to preparing us for such a task.

Our study abroad program known as the Junior Year in Freiburg has evolved over the years along with changes in the University of Freiburg, in Germany and in Europe. But those of us from JYF 66-67 who found each other again after 50 years were extremely pleased to discover that the same ideals, goals and motivations still exist in the program Academic Year in Freiburg (AYF), and that the University of Freiburg and current AYF staff welcomed us as part of their community.

Thus, a part of our group was able to meet during September 2017, exactly 51 years after leaving New York, to renew friendships, to recall events which contributed to shaping our lives, to reflect on developments around the world that we have experienced, to enjoy the beautiful landscapes in the vicinity of Freiburg, and also to experience together the messages included in the creative music of the 60s that stimulated our thinking and our actions.

Perhaps even more refreshing was the opportunity created by Program Director Ulrich Struve and Resident Director Prof. Senta Goertler for us to share our experiences and our „lessons about life“ with those young students arriving in September 2017 to begin their study year abroad. For us old people, it was exciting to hear so many new ideas from these 20-year olds, to discover that they had a willingness and even thirst for listening to us, to experience their enthusiasm to explore and expand their knowledge, and finally to share together some wine from Baden and our music of the 60s dancing together.

Our 50-year reunion was a memorable event for us and of course left us wishing to do it all over again. Since we cannot, it is heartening to know that since our renaissance in Freiburg during 1966-67, we have been followed by 50 additional groups that have been impacted and formed in similar ways by study abroad. The perspective gained by exchange with the current young students, and the realization that universities worldwide continue to build such programs, makes us very proud to be alumni of the University of Freiburg and provide us with a degree of hope and optimism for the future, despite the troubles that confront us daily.

Photos by Jonathan Tenhunen