The Language Department at Wetzel Services is excited to share Ulli Lamprecht’s English success story! When Ulli first arrived at the Wetzel office, she knew how to say hello and goodbye in English. When Ulli enters the Wetzel office today she communicates confidently in English. Our team at Wetzel has been quite impressed by Ulli’s enthusiasm to embrace her international experience, which can be seen in her drive to learn the English language and her desire to get involved in the community. Read on to find out how much Ulli has accomplished from a personal and professional standpoint during her stay in Greenville, SC. You will be inspired by her language success story!

Can you describe your family that has relocated with you and the details of your stay?
My husband, Klaus, our daughter Lisa (9) and I came to Greenville in July, 2005. One year later my stepdaughter Caroline (17) joined us and my stepson Josef (15) comes to visit on his vacations.

We are from Austria and lived there in a rather small town called Ebbs in Tirol and Klaus commuted to Munich everyday. Now we live in Simpsonville in Orchard Farms along with many other expat families and we found quite a few friends there.

How are you handling the language challenges?
When we first arrived the language surely was a challenge for me, but people are very friendly and helpful here, so I tried to use body language a lot. After a while and several private English lessons and group classes, I was able to understand almost everything. Speaking was a different story, though. Only when I realized that it didn’t matter so much whether everything was grammatically perfect, did I dare to speak and then it was easy for me to communicate.

Do you feel like you have assimilated well? Met many Americans?
From the beginning we felt very much at home here in Greenville and met a lot of people right away, especially other expats who were also trying to meet people. With Lisa going to Christ Church and Klaus and me joining a tennis club we quickly met Americans and became friends with them. Looking back, assimilating was easier than expected, maybe not in the first few weeks but later on.

What have you learned about yourself through this experience?
Through this experience I have learned about myself that I am able to achieve a lot more than I had thought. Also, I know now that living in a different country is nothing you need to be afraid of.

What activities, organizations or events have you been involved with?
Being very much into sports we joined the Greenville Tennis Club and the Sports Club I Greenville. Lisa goes to the Dancers Corner and Conservatory of Music and Caroline played tennis at the Sports Club. Our American friends took us to all kinds of regional or local festivities such as Greenville Alive or Fall for Greenville. We have been to the Bi-Lo Center quite a bit and think it is great that they have a lot of internationally renowned artists there.

How has Wetzel helped with your expat experience?
Wetzel Services was my first address whenever I had questions or concerns, as they are always friendly and helpful. Apart from the private English lessons I took, I have also taken group English courses at Wetzel. I participated in the:
Essentials in English Course
Conversations in English Course
Movies in English Course

Do you work? If so, describe the experience from a language and cultural standpoint.
After I had applied for a work permit I looked for a job, but it wasn’t easy to find something for just a few hours. I wanted to only work a little bit to practice my English. Now I’m helping a friend of mine in her store, the Art Boutique, downtown. This way I can choose my hours and still have enough free time to go on vacation with my family or spend time with visitors from Austria. On the other hand I get to know many different people, stay in the fashion business and get some insight of the American world of work.

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