AKA: Monique, Schmonique, Moniksa, Monilove, Moni

Birthday: October 17^th, 1977 (Libra)

Hometown: Siegsdorf, located in the best part of Germany: BAVARIA

Family:

• One brother named Christian, 2 years older than Monika. Christian lives in Munich and works for a Consulting Firm.
• One sister named Susi, 7 years younger than Monika. Susi is currently working on getting her High-School degree.
• Her father, Albert, works as a chimney sweeper and tries to make as much time as possible for skiing and golfing. Monika's mother, Franziska, also started to play golf two years ago is a bookkeeper for her dad's business.
• One cat, Momo, and 5 chickens

Hobbies: travelling, and exercising, going for coffee with friends, rollerblading

Favorite American City: New Orleans (partying), Milwaukee
Favorite Food: Chicken wings and cheese fries
Favorite Drink: golden tequila shots and Bavarian beer
Favorite TV Show: Friends without any competition
Favorite Movie: There's Something About Mary
Favorite Song: for the fall quarter of '99- Back That Azz Up and some of KB's South African music. For 2001 "One More Time" by Daft Punk

Travelling:
Italy, Austria, Greece, Croatia, Slovenia, Southeastern United States
Two backpacking trips through Europe

• First: throughout England and Scotland
• Second: Switzerland, France, Spain, and Portugal
• hasn't had the opportunity for any other trips other than within the United States (will do it as soon as she gets a chance)

How she came to UAB:
One of Monika's friends named Wolfgang Schweiger told her about UAB and contacted the coach, Mert Ertunga.

Perception of the United States:
(Before she came): "Before college, I went to New York once, but only as a tourist. However, I think New York is different from the rest of the United States. I didn't really know what to expect regarding college. I was excited to leave home, and to have the opportunity to live in a different country".

(After she came): "College life is fun, although it is very stressful and exhausting. You have to be organized and manage your time effectively. Americans in general are superficial, they ask you things such as "How are you" and "Give me a call" but don’t really mean it."
(In her Junior Year): " My opinion on Americans has not changed much, but since then I have made lots of friends from all over the world.  I still like it here in the States and won't regret staying here for a couple more years".

Future Plans:
Monika plans to attend graduate school and earn her masters in Exercise Physiology. She is planning on going to Graduate School in some other part of the Unites States to experince something different before she goes home to Germany. She is not making any concrete plans, but sees herself married around the age of 30 and wants 3 kids, financially permitting.

Greatest accomplishment:
"She won the Bavarian Championships at the age of 16. The opportunity to be on a full scholarship at UAB and to get to live in another country for a couple of years." Monika became "Freshman of the Year" in '99 in Conference USA.

Motto: "Live each day to the fullest."

Monika says hello to:
I want to say hello to my mom, dad, my sister Susi (Susi, hang in there! You will pass this grade), and my brother Christian
Hello to all my friends at home.  Even if you don't believe me, I miss y'all a lot.
Steffi, please slow down your working effort, it will give you a heart attack by the age of 30, if you keep on doing it like that!:) I hope you will have a successful season this year!
Cathl and Geli,  I can't wait to hang out with you guys when  I come back in the summer!