Mr. Murray D. Wikol
President of The European American Center
32500 Telegraph Road
Bingham Farms, MI 48025

RE: Internship with The European-American Center

Dear Mr. Wikol,

The experience of being a landscape intern for the European-American Center has opened my eyes to an area of horticulture focused on a strong historical framework. Through the Eur-Am Center I was given the chance to work in a unique cultural area of France.

My duties as a landscaper were primarily focused on the maintenance of the existing grounds at the Abbey in Pontlevoy. Since the Abbey had been neglected for many years, numerous things had been overgrown. I worked alongside Aila, a landscape designer from Finland, in many different areas. We pruned many hedges/trees, removed dead plant material, cleared ivy from stone retaining walls, sprayed/pulled weeds, cut the watercress, and racked the mown hay in the meadow.

During my time spent in France I was also given the chance to work alongside many Landscape Architects affiliated with ELEE, European Landscape Education Exchange. The challenge at Pontlevoy is to evolve a master plan respectful of the past, relevant to now, and evident and appropriate for many years to come; bringing to this French place a 21st.C. landscape fitting of its multi-cultural and multi-national life and purpose.

I feel the Eur-Am center in Pontlevoy will provide a great atmosphere for students to study abroad. It will be a cultural melting pot surrounded by such history and breathe taking architecture. I am so pleased to have had a chance to be part of this organization and look forward to see how things progress in the future.

Sincerely,

Karla Havermann
Senior, Northwest Missouri State University