Patricia R    Dedicated German language tutor with over 15 years of expertise in teaching students of all ages. Proficient in preparing students for major German language certifications, SAT and AP German

What is your favorite word in your language and why?

"Verschlimmbessern" is a fantastic German word because it brilliantly captures a concept that’s relatable yet tricky to express in other languages. It’s a compound of "verschlimmern" (to worsen) and "verbessern" (to improve), meaning "to make something worse while trying to make it better." Think of a botched home repair or an overzealous edit that ruins a decent draft. German’s knack for smashing words together to pinpoint human experiences shines here, and the tongue-twister vibe just adds to its charm. Ever tried fixing something only to break it more? That’s "verschlimmbessern" in action.

What is your favorite dish from your hometown? If you no longer live there is there a good local restaurant that serves it?

My favorite dish from Munich is Steckerlfisch, fish on a stick. Typically, a whole fish like trout, mackerel, seasoned with a marinade of oil, salt, pepper, and sometimes garlic or herbs and grilled over flames. This is a typical Bavarian beer garden food. It’s served simply—sometimes wrapped in paper, sometimes on a plate—with sides like pretzels, or potato salad.

Besides the languages you teach, do you speak or study any other languages?

Italian (I used to be pretty fluent but had not many possibilities to speak the languages in the last 20 years). I started learning French a couple of months ago.

What are your interests outside of teaching at Strommen?

I love hiking in the mountains—Austria, Bavaria, Nevada, or California—and traveling; I’ve hit over 35 countries. Literature’s my thing, especially old-school sci-fi like Asimov, Heinlein, and Philip K. Dick. I’m drawn to Renaissance art, particularly Albrecht Dürer, and music from Baroque—Händel, Bach—to Krautrock and electronic music like Jean-Michel Jarre or Kraftwerk. It all keeps me exploring, whether on a trail or in my head.

What do you consider your hometown? Why do you love it?

It’s a tricky question—I was born in Munich, and I’ve lived in Berlin, LA, New York, Las Vegas, and Fribourg, Switzerland. Each place has its own pull: Munich’s cozy charm, Berlin’s raw energy, New York for its great spirit, LA’s sprawl and the sun, Vegas’s wild pulse, and Fribourg’s quiet beauty. I love them all for different reasons. But honestly, my hometown isn’t pinned to a map—it’s where my family is, where my husband is. I’ve got this knack for making almost anywhere feel like mine as long as I’m surrounded by good people. They’re what ground me, no matter the city.