Martin Heim
"I am 21 years old. I was born in the little town of Schwaz in the Austrian Tyrol. This part of the country is best known for its Swarovski crystal. (In case you don’t know, the famous “Michael Jackson glove” is made of Swarovski crystals.)

I have just completed my associate degree at a junior college for engineering, where I majored in structural engineering and energy planning. This qualifies me to install heating, drinking water, and climate control systems in homes and office buildings. I am also a certified snowboard instructor (which seems to be a “must” for any Tyrolean). I enjoy paragliding and am an avid soccer player — a sport I’ve enjoyed ever since I was a little boy.

I wanted to work at the Center for Holocaust, Genocide & Peace Studies because I am interested in the history of the Hitler regime and the legacy of the Holocaust. Since 1999, I have wanted to do research and work at the grassroots level within the Gedenkdienst program. I am very happy to be in Reno, where I can continue the important work started by the two previous Gedenkdienst interns. Talking to middle and high school students about the Holocaust and peace makes me feel useful. I much prefer to work for 14 months under the auspices of the Center for Holocaust, Genocide & Peace Studies than serve 8 months in the Austrian military.

Of course, I am also looking forward to taking advantage of the beautiful facilities in the Reno/Tahoe area during my internship!"

Michael Feuerstein
Dec 2000 - Jan 2002

Martin Heim
Nov 2000 - Dec 2001

Heinz Boesch
Oct 1999 - Nov 2000

Andreas Feuerstein
Sep 1999 - Oct 2000