For Keelan Vaughn, the question of his citizenship takes more to answer than simply pulling out his passport.
Vaughn, a sophomore majoring in environmental engineering and German, is in the process of becoming a dual German and American citizen and will soon become what is known as a heritage student – students who study abroad in their family’s ancestral country.
Vaughn’s mother hails from Germany, and his plans to study abroad in Mannheim, Germany during Spring semester reflect his interest in regaining that side of his heritage. He said a part of him wants to stay connected to his German ancestry, especially after the recent death of his German grandmother.
“It’s hard for me sometimes because where is home?” Vaughn said. “I’ve lived here all my life but I feel more connected to German culture because that’s what I’ve actively sought out – German experiences. I would like my grandma’s life to live on, and I think I’m doing that by exploring my German heritage.”