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'iiiFeatures- 7

Dr. Mohamed Esa: A Mainstay at McDaniel and

in the Hearts of Many connection to life," and he watches many of them.
"I would love to have more students involved in Esa is''a very busy man, and he travels often. "I
KYLEANDREWS German [in college]," says Esa. "I also would love to
Sports Editor have more language options for different languages love to travel when I have the time," he says. To
for children in grade schooL" him, travel opens up his heart and mind, He has
Dr, Mohamed Esa has been a full-time professor been to various places with his students, including
Esa believes that education is a key cog in human Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Turkey and Egypt.
at McDaniel since 1993, teaching students the development. He also wishes that there were more
German language. He has been crucial to students money pumped into education. Dr. Esa also had some interesting things to say
receiving a balanced and interesting education at about the 2014 World Cup.
McDanieL Tugba Sezer, an assistant here from Germany,
also sees Dr. Esa's hard work and dedication to his "Small countries needed to win the World Cup to
Accordirig to some students, he is a person help give them a moral boost," he said.
that you' can lean on for help or even have a long students.
conversation with. These students enj Esa's Nonetheless, he was very excited when
Germans won, He was' also happy with the fact
guidance on McDaniel's campus, that the Germans displayed great sportsmanship
throughout the World Cup, which made him proud.
"I came to McDaniel because of Dr.
Another thing that Dr. Esa prides himself in
Esa and his guidance," says junior Mariah is his Arabic culture. He also loves to take part in
other cultures, building bridges to them through
Ligas, "I chose McDaniel because of being multilingual and connecting others who
would otherwise remain unconnected,
the ability to stay with theater as well as
If you are interested in learning about Ger~an
majoring in German. Dr. Esa offered culture and getting to know Dr. Esa, McDaniel's
German-American Day would be a great chance to
me many opportunities to further my do these things,

education in German." Esa recommends that many should attend the
20th anniversary of German-American Day on
Among other things, Ligas studied Tuesday, Oct. 14. For those who can't attend, Dr.
Esa and his students can inform them of the many
abroad in Heidelberg, Germany for a year opportunities in which they can greater immerse
themselves in German culture here on campus,
at Dr. Esa's recommendation.

A Palestinian, Esa is originally from

Israel, with his first two languages being

Arabic and Hebrew. When he became

older, he applied to become a medical

student in Germany. If that couldn't be

the case, he thought about pursuing law

or engineering as well. His original dream,

however, didn't come true.

Esa was not admitted to medical school, "He's very respectful, he's personable and he

so he started school in Germany as a German is extremely nice." Apparently, Esa even sent her a

major because he needed to learn German as a card before she came to McDaniel to study, "In his

student anyway. Esa re-applied to medical school , eyes, everyone is equaL"

and was wait-listed again. This time, however, he Ligas and Sezer agreed that he is very honest, with

decided to continue his path as a German major. a huge heart and that he makes time and space for

Eventually, he received his master's degree and his students, They greatly appreciate his help.

then his doctorate in German, . When he isn't instructing students or helping
Esa moved to the U.S. in 1991 and applied them make life decisions, Dr, Esa spends his time
doing things he enjoys, Some of his hobbies include
for a job at Western Maryland College. Some time going out to dinner, cooking, baking, reading and
Went b,y before he became the full-time head of working in his yard. He loves to take care of his pet
the German section of the foreign languages chickens. He believes that 'movies hold a "special
department. Since then, he has urged more students

to get involved with German. _