The Light - An Alumni Publication Summer 2015 | Page 18

FACES OF YFU
Pulliam, center, with friends from DHBW’s international club in Switzerland in 2014

MARY KATHERINE PULLIAM
PROGRAM: Germany, 2010
OCCUPATION: Student at Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University
HOME: Lörrach, Germany

DEFYING THE ODDS:

Survivor of Traumatic Head Injury Excels in Germany
If not for her strength and perseverance following a brutal attack that left her severely injured in 2008, Mary
Katherine Pulliam would not be living her dream. Read more about her remarkable journey to Germany here.

My name is Mary Katherine Pulliam, and I
am proud to say I am a Youth For Understanding
Alumna. I was awarded the Congress-Bundestag
scholarship in 2010 and spent one year in Karlsruhe,
Germany. It wasn’t easy being away from family
and out of my “comfort zone,” but the benefits and
opportunities from living in Germany far outweighed
the challenges. I not only grew to love and understand
the German people and culture, I also learned a
great deal about myself and what I wanted in life.
Four years later I find myself back in Germany,
my second home, studying international business
at Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University
(DHBW). With my knowledge of German and a
burgeoning interest in international affairs, it made
sense for me to pursue a bachelor’s degree overseas
- I could not be any happier with my choice.
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The Light

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YFU

The world is much BIGGER and more beautiful
than one can read in books or see in movies. YFU
opened my eyes to this world. Employers and
professionals see me as an open-minded, educated
and well-rounded human being. Thanks to my exchange
experience, I have won college scholarships, job
opportunities, and admission to University in Germany
(not an easy accomplishment). I literally would not
be in Europe living my dream without YFU. ■
Follow Pulliam’s life in Germany on her
personal blog: Mary Defies Gravity.
Learn more about Baden-Württemberg
Cooperative State University here.