Application

Dear Mike,

I've wandered into your shop twice.

Once was when I was sixteen. I'd come to Germany with a tour group from my high school. The thirty of us were led into Mike's Bike Tours by my overenthusiastic teacher, Cheryl. We were not excited by the idea of biking around Munich for four hours. It was hot, we were tired, and everyone was anxiously awaiting the end of the scheduled part of the day so we could sneak off and drink beer.

The instant we mounted our bikes, though, our attitudes changed. First of all, they're awesome rides -- they nearly spoiled me for future bikes. Second of all, we were mostly girls, and the guide, frankly, was hot. He was more than hot -- he was knowledgeable, which made him double hot. I don't remember much of what he said, but I do remember how hilarious it all was.

That bike tour was what made me want to study in Munich; at the conclusion of four hours, I didn't want it to end. I just remember how full of possibility the city felt from two pedals rather than four, from a sleek silver frame rather than a boxlike tour bus.

When I got to college, I applied, was accepted to the Junior Year in Munich program, and now I'm here. I've been here for two months now. I got a bike the instant I could, so I know the city better than anyone else in my program does now. (They all ride the U-Bahn, slackers.)

Last week, I worked up the courage to wander into the store again.

Not much has changed. You weren't in, but your guides are still as attractive and friendly as ever, except now they are my age rather than unattainable older people. They remind me of my friends back at the University of Minnesota Morris. They are sly, buff individuals who like good stories and don't care about getting dirty; I felt rather at home.

For I, too, have grown into a good storyteller. I stop my friends as we wander around Munich and relay various anecdotes I've gathered from tours I've been on -- "Did you know that if you steal a town's maypole in Southern Germany, they have to throw you a party?". I am not afraid of talking to large groups of people, nor of herding them around -- at Morris, I am both a campus tour guide and a freshman orientation group leader.

Additionally, I am on the campus' ten-person improv comedy troupe. This means that I do not fear hecklers and surprises -- rather, I enjoy them. I am cute and good at meeting strangers. Did I mention that I enjoy biking? I think I'd be a good match for your team.

I'm not asking you for a job, yet, though. I'm applying for your internship program because I've got to leave and finish college in two months. I could start next week, or even this week, but I'm out of Germany by the end of July, and I fear that two months is nowhere near enough time to convince you to let me lead a large group of people around the city.

Rather, I'd like you to get to know me, allow me to learn from you, let me shadow your guides. Let me learn the stories and the art of the Mike's Bike Tours funny. Then let me leave, and next year, when I graduate and move back to Munich for real, let me be first on your list for a job when you hire new guides in the spring.

In conclusion,

I love you.

Jessie Hennen