German Advising Contact Information With Office Hours From Tuesday, January 20 - Wednesday, January 28

You can reach the German advisors through a general email: germanadvising@umich.edu

We have two advisors for German undergraduates:

* Mary Rodena-Krasan (MLB 3128; mkrasan@umich.edu)

Mary's office hours this week are:

Tuesday, January 20: 10-4:30 p.m.,

Thursday, January 22: 10-4:30 p.m.,

Friday, January 23: 10-4:30 p.m.,

Tuesday, January 27: 10-4:30 p.m.,

and by appointment.

Mary's Link for Office Hours: https://umich.zoom.us/j/92765512004

* Karl-Georg Federhofer (MLB 3422; kallimz@umich.edu)

My office hours this week are:

Tuesday, January 20: 9-12, 1-5 p.m.,

Wednesday, January 21: 1-5 p.m.,

Thursday, January 22: 9-12, 1-5 p.m.,

Friday, January 23: 9-11:30, 3-5 p.m.,

Monday, January 26: 1-5 p.m.,

Tuesday, January 27: 9-12, 1-5 p.m.,

Wednesday, January 28: 1-5 p.m.,

and by appointment.

My Zoom Link for Office Hours: https://umich.zoom.us/j/909147087

It is best to schedule appointments, which you have to do by 4 p.m. on the previous day. You can schedule appointments with us here: https://myadvising.lsa.umich.edu/appointments/offices/GERM

If you would like to get in contact with a peer mentor in our Department, please write to: germanmentors@umich.edu.

German Conversation Opportunities - 'Schokoladenstunde': Tuesday, January 20, 10-11 a.m., MLB 3110; and Kreativwerkstatt: Friday, January 23, 12-1 p.m.,MLB 3117

We have two weekly and informal conversation opportunities:

Schokoladenstunde convenes in the German Department Lounge (MLB 3110) every Tuesday, 10-11 a.m. There will be some German chocolate to snack on. Mary Gell will bring games (e.g. Tabu), and the hour will be spent playing games and chatting in German.

Kreativwerkstatt: Chat in German and express yourself creatively. Crafting, coloring, painting, drawing, knitting, sewing, crochet, embroidery, origami? At the weekly Kreativwerkstatt, which takes place every Friday, 12-1 p.m., you will combine speaking (any level welcome, beginners included!) and creatively expressing yourself. You are encouraged to bring your own materials or (ongoing) projects, but we will also provide some materials and prompts each week. If you have any questions about Kreativwerkstatt please contact Laura Okkema.

Martin Luther King Event - 'Afro.Deutschland' (Directors: Susanne Lenz-Gleißner, Jana Pareigis, Adama Ulrich, 2017): Tuesday, January 20, 5-6:30 p.m., North Quad 2435

In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Department of Germanic Languages and Literatures invites the University of Michigan community to a screening of Afro.Deutschland (2017), a documentary that explores Black German experiences of identity, belonging, and resilience across history.

Through powerful personal narratives, the film highlights stories of exclusion and racism alongside accounts of empowerment and achievement. Featuring voices ranging from Nazi-era survivor Theodor Wonja Michael to contemporary figures such as rapper Samy Deluxe, Afro.Deutschland interrogates the persistent question “Where are you from?” and examines Germany’s colonial past and its ongoing impact on identity. These experiences resonate with the struggles of Black Americans and echo the civil rights legacy that Martin Luther King Jr. worked to bring to the forefront of American consciousness.

The screening offers an opportunity for reflection on global Black histories and the transnational dimensions of civil rights, race, and belonging.

Website: https://events.umich.edu/event/142792

Max Kade Events - 'Deutschtisch': Wednesday, January 21, 6-7 p.m., North Quad Dining Hall, and 'Kaffeestunde': Friday, January 23, 5-6 p.m., North Quad 2450

Deutschtisch is a weekly event in the North Quad Dining Hall for Max Kade residents and visitors from outside the Max Kade German Residence to speak German during a meal. Visitors should look for a table with GermanSwiss/Austrian flags and a group of students speaking German.

Kaffeestunde is a weekly opportunity to mingle and unwind. It is a place to connect with other Max Kade residents, chat informally in German, and participate in activities prepared by facilitators. German students at all levels are welcome at the Max Kade events. If you have any questions, please ask Viola Tietje or Vera Irwin.

Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra - Beethoven & Mozart: Saturday, January 24, 7:30 p.m., Michigan Theater

2025 GRAMMY® Award-winning pianist Michelle Cann joins the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra to perform Mozart’s agile and elegant Piano Concerto No. 23 in a concert that takes place days before the composer’s 270th birthday. Music Director Earl Lee continues his multi-season Beethoven exploration with the composer’s genial Symphony No. 4, and Gabriela Lena Frank’s tribute to her Peruvian heritage rounds out the first concert of the New Year.

Website: https://a2so.org/january-mainstage-26/

German Department - Funding and Awards - Information Session: Monday, January 26, 6 p.m., Remote

Join the German department for an information session on the different types of student awards and funding (class work, study abroad, internship abroad) that are available to undergraduates.

Registration: https://umich.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_kYIvB9UKSY2kP5Z7iWCj0w#/registration

German Club - 'Stammtisch': Wednesday, January 28, 6-7 p.m., Mason Hall 3314

The German Club will hold its next Stammtisch on Wednesday, January 28, 6-7 p.m. Mason Hall 3314.

You will have the opportunity to speak German with other students from the University of Michigan.

Stammtisch will take place every two weeks this term.

If you have any questions please address them to Kyle (kirschk@umich.edu).

ThinkSwiss Research Scholarships 2026: Saturday, January 31 (Application Deadline)

ThinkSwiss Research Scholarships offer students studying in the United States and Canada research grants at a Swiss research institution of their choosing. The duration of the scholarship is for a minimum of two months and up to a maximum of three months.

Eligibility Requirements:
To apply for a ThinkSwiss Research Scholarship you must:
* Currently be enrolled at an accredited U.S. or Canadian university/college,
* Be a graduate student or an undergraduate student who will have completed their sophomore year by the time the research stay in Switzerland begins, and
* Provide a written confirmation from a professor at a Swiss university that they will accept you for a research stay in their group.

In order to apply, please fill out the online contact form here and upload all supporting documents in PDF format by January 31, 2026.

Each application must contain:
* The completed application online form
* A research project outline (e.g. an overview of the tasks and milestones of your project that you agreed on with your host professor, max. 2 pages)
* A letter of motivation/explanation of why you should be awarded the ThinkSwiss Research Scholarship, why you would make an excellent “student ambassador” in the future, and why you choose Switzerland as your research destination (please keep this within 2 pages)
* A CV (no more than two pages)
* A copy of your current university transcripts and diplomas (if applicable)
* A letter of acceptance from the host professor and/or hosting institution in Switzerland (this letter should highlight the relevance of your research)
* A letter of recommendation from a current professor who can attest to the applicant’s abilities

The ThinkSwiss Research Scholarship provides a prorated amount based on the length of your stay (a maximum of up to three months). The students will get a stipend of 60 CHF/day from the start to the last day in the University, +3 days for arrival and departure up to a maximum of 90 days (5,400 CHF maximum). Please note that this amount covers only a portion of the average student’s living expenses and that you will be asked to prove sufficient financial means to the Swiss cantonal authorities before a visa can be issued (see information on visa below). The whole amount of the scholarship money will be transferred to the bank account of the recipient shortly before the departure date.

Website: https://swissnex.org/services/academia/thinkswiss-research-scholarships-north-america/

Academic Year in Freiburg 2026-2027: Sunday, February 1 (Application Deadline)

The best way to get to know Germany really well is to live there for an extended time.

By studying in Freiburg for a year, you can practically earn all credits required for a German major and may possibly get distribution credits and credits towards a second major; and you will live in one of the most attractive and desired places in Germany. This program is open to all University of Michigan undergraduate students.

Eligibility:
* Minimum 3.0 GPA
* Good academic standing
* Sophomore, Junior, or Senior standing by Fall 2026
* Completion of German 232 or equivalent prior to September 2026

Tuition for this year-long program is covered by a program fee, and students receive University of Michigan in-residence credit for the courses they take during the Academic Year in Freiburg. Students will not pay University of Michigan tuition during the year abroad. Additional costs include travel, room, and board. The latter two are considerably cheaper than housing in Ann Arbor is. You will live in a single in a student dorm in Freiburg.

Students remain eligible for financial aid. In addition, the German Department will reduce the program fee for all applicants by up to $1,000 this year. Further funding opportunities are available from the department as well; to inquire, please contact germandept@umich.edu.

For more information, see the AYF website at https://www.ayf.uni-freiburg.de/

You can find out more on Instagram.

Here is the link to the application website from CGIS (Center for Global and Intercultural Study): https://mcompass.umich.edu/_portal/tds-program-brochure?programid=10247

AATG Study Abroad Scholarship for College Students (Spring/Summer 2026 Programs): Sunday, February 1 (Application Deadline)

The brand-new AATG Study Abroad Scholarship for College Students supports full-time undergraduate students on their study abroad journey. Scholarships of up to $1250 are awarded in the Spring and Fall to support study abroad travel during different times of the academic year or during the summer.

The Spring/Summer application deadline is February 1, 2026, for programs commencing in the first half of the calendar year (January-July) of 2026. Recipients will be notified in early March.

The application deadline for programs commencing in the second half of the calendar year (August-December) is July 1, 2026. Recipients will be notified in late July.

In their application, students should describe the nature of their study abroad program, describe how this program will impact their studies, and why they are in need of funding.

Applicants will be asked to submit an unofficial transcript at the time of application.

This program is supported by donations to the AATG.

Website: https://www.aatg.org/study-abroad-grant

International Internships with IES Abroad: Sunday, February 1 (Application Deadline)

IES Abroad provides independent, hands-on learning opportunities through a variety of internship offerings. Rather than scroll through countless listings and submit application after application, work with IES’s career services team to discuss your career goals and IES will guarantee you a placement in the field of your choice.

Career fields vary by internship site. Some popular fields include: Arts, Business, Climate Change, Communications, Computer Science, Education, Fashion, Health (non-clinical), International Relations, IT, Journalism, Law, Marketing, Public Health, Technology, Tourism. & more!

Michigan students may apply to any of the following locations:
* Australia: Sydney
* Austria: Vienna
* Chile: Santiago
* France: Paris or Nantes
* Germany: Berlin
* Italy: Rome or Milan
* Morocco: Rabat
* South Africa: Cape Town
* United Kingdom: London

Website: https://mcompass.umich.edu/_portal/tds-program-brochure?programid=12289

German Film Series - 'Ich bin dein Mensch': Monday, February 2, 6:30 p.m., North Quad 2435

In search of a way to finance her research, Alma Fesler (Maren Eggert) agrees to participate in an experimental study: she will live with a humanoid robot for three weeks. This sci-fi romance takes audiences to the edges of rationality, longing, and what it means to be human.

All films will be screened in German with English subtitles in North Quad 2435. Pizza will be served at 6 p.m. and the film begins at 6:30 p.m. Interested attendees that are affiliated with the university are encouraged to RSVP here.

The series this fall is co-sponsored by the Max Kade Foundation and Alamanya: Transnational German Studies RIW.

Website: https://events.umich.edu/event/143360

Fund for Education Abroad - Summer/Fall 2026 and Academic Year 2026-27 Scholarship: Thursday, February 4 (Application Deadline)

The Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) scholarships are available for undergraduate students planning to study or intern abroad in Summer/Fall 2026 and the Academic Year 2026-27. A complete list of FEA eligibility requirements can be found here.

More details about the application and descriptions of all available scholarships, including Access Partner scholarships, can be found here.

FEA scholarships are awarded with a preference for underrepresented students and those with a demonstrated financial need.

Website: https://fundforeducationabroad.org/apply/

Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation (AAACF) - Walter & Florence E. Aupperle Scholarship for German Majors and Minors: Tuesday, February 10, 3 p.m. (Application Deadline)

Established in 2003 by Walter and Florence Aupperle to provide four-year scholarships annually to students studying the German language, history and culture at the University of Michigan or Eastern Michigan University.

The scholarship amounts to $5,000 for each academic year that you are still enrolled here. If you are presently a first-year student with a German major or minor, you can renew the scholarship up to three times. The total amount will ultimately be $20,000.

Number of available awards: 2-3

Recipients may automatically renew their scholarship up to three times, to receive four years of scholarship support, as long as they continue to meet the Scholarship Fund criteria.

Scholarship Criteria:
* You must demonstrate financial need
* You must be a full-time undergraduate student pursuing a German major (history, language, culture, etc.) or minor at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor or Eastern Michigan University
* You must have a minimum GPA of 3.0

To renew a scholarship, you must be enrolled at the University of Michigan or EMU, maintain a 3.0 or above GPA, and submit your transcript showing your German major/minor, and verification of fall enrollment to AAACF for review each summer.

Required Materials:
* Online scholarship application
* Latest transcript
* Letter of recommendation, which must be completed by someone who is not a relative or family member
* Short essay, composed in English, answering the question: How did you become interested in German Studies? (Uploaded as an attachment)

The scholarship will be reported to the Office of Financial Aid at the University of Michigan, which will then be reassessing your financial needs.

Students can begin their application for the Walter & Florence E. Aupperle Scholarship (eligibility is below) by visiting the website to read more: https://www.aaacf.org/students/scholarships

You will then need to create an account to log in and access the application: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=aaacfs

Contact information:
Maryellen Ferro
Community Investment Officer
301 N Main Street, Suite 300
Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Email: mferro@aaacf.org
Telephone: (734) 436-7586

Global Individual Grants for International Internships or Research Abroad: Sunday, February 15 (Application Deadline)

The International Institute Global Individual Grant is designed to support University of Michigan-Ann Arbor students who will take part in international internships or conduct research abroad.

Award amounts are up to $5,000.

There is no preference for particular fields of study and the International Institute aims to fund a diverse array of students and projects.

Eligibility Criteria
- Academic Levels:
* Undergraduate and master’s students in all schools/colleges
* Professional school doctoral students

* Applicants must be enrolled University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, students.
* International students are eligible to apply.
* Awardees must return to campus for at least one term before graduation.
* All travel must follow current guidelines, outlined in the International Institute Travel policy.
* Projects cannot begin before May 1, and cannot extend past May 31 of the following year.
* Projects must take place outside of the U.S. and U.S. territories.
* Projects must be at least 30 days (1 month) in length and internships must be at least a 30-hour/week commitment
* All travel must follow current guidelines, which are detailed in the International Institute Travel Policy.

Website: https://ii.umich.edu/ii/funding/iisf/global-individual-grants.html

International Internships with Sage Corps: Sunday, March 1 (Application Deadline)

Sage Corps sends college students to work with startups. Work full-time alongside CEOs, CMOs, and CTOs to build real solutions to real problems. They provide opportunities for specializations including, but not limited to, business strategy, data analytics, graphic design, marketing, software development, and UI/UX design.

Career fields will vary by internship site. Please follow this link for a list of internship career fields by location.

Michigan students may apply to any of the following locations:
* Amsterdam
* Barcelona
* Berlin
* Lisbon
* Madrid
* Paris
* Sydney

Website: https://mcompass.umich.edu/_portal/tds-program-brochure?programid=12286

International Internship Scholarship: Saturday, March 7 (Application Deadline)

A great internship can help make lasting connections and propel your post-graduation job search. Along with earning your LSA degree, you will have gained valuable skills and experience that may put you ahead of other job candidates.

Thanks to generous donations from University of Michigan alumni and supporters, LSA Internship Scholarships can help make these life-changing opportunities a reality for students, regardless of background or financial resources. All internship scholarships are donor-funded and based on financial need. If you're planning to spend your LSA internship abroad read on for more information and how to apply.

The LSA International Internship Scholarship will be awarded in partnership with the Center for Global and Intercultural Study (CGIS) International Internship Programs.

Internships not sourced through one of the CGIS International Internship programs, including those posted on LSA Engage, are not eligible for this funding opportunity. This includes the DAAD RISE or privately arranged internships.

If you are participating in a CGIS Study Abroad program that includes an internship component, please visit the LSA Study Abroad Scholarship page to apply.

If your internship is based in the United States, please view the LSA Internship Scholarship (U.S.-based) page for more information.

An LSA Scholarship supports LSA students who participate in a Center for Global and Intercultural Study (CGIS) International Internship program. All of the internship scholarships are donor funded and based on financial need. Scholarship funds can help cover the cost of attendance and travel based on program budgets.

LSA International Internship Scholarship awards vary in amount depending on the cost of a student's internship experience, and a student's demonstrated level of financial need.

Award amounts average $6,000. Loan offers are not guaranteed to be replaced with a scholarship. LSA Scholarships cannot award funds beyond what a student's aid package allows. We work closely with CGIS staff and the Study Abroad team at the Office of Financial Aid to determine program costs and factor any other financial aid.

Website: https://lsa.umich.edu/scholarships/current-students/scholarships21.html

Schriftlich - German Undergraduate Publication: Thursday, April 16 (Submission Deadline)

Schriftlich is a student-run bilingual journal exploring the interdisciplinary nature of the German language, culture, and influence through collections of student work on German-related topics. Journal submissions are open to all, not just German majors/minors, and can be submitted in German or English.

If you are interested in submitting a piece of writing, please do so here. The deadline is Thursday, April 16.

Schriftlich welcomes submissions on a rolling basis. If interested, apply now.

If you have any questions, please contact Daphne (dwelter@umich.edu).