German Advising Contact Information With Office Hours From Tuesday, February 18 - Wednesday, February 26

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)

Her office hours this week are:

Tuesday, February 18: 2-4:30 p.m.,

Wednesday, February 19: 2-4 p.m.,

Thursday, February 20: 2-4:30 p.m.,

Friday, February 21: 2-4 p.m.,

Tuesday, February 25: 2-4:30 p.m.,

Wednesday, February 26: 2-4 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, February 18: 9-11 a.m., 

Wednesday, February 19: 1-4 p.m.,

Thursday, February 20: 9-12,1-5 p.m.,

Friday, February 21: 9-11:30, 3-5 p.m.,

Monday, February 24: 1-3 p.m.,

Tuesday, February 25: 9-1 p.m.,

Wednesday, February 19: 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.

You can meet the peer mentors on Fridays, 3-4 p.m., Language Resource Center. If you have any questions, please contact Matthew (matzhang@umich.edu.)

Accelerated Master’s Degree Program in Transcultural Studies - Winter 2025 Virtual Info Sessions: Tuesday, February 18, 4 p.m., and Monday, February 24, 2 p.m., Remote

Do you anticipate pursuing a PhD or a career involving international travel, cross-cultural partnerships, or collaborative work in a diverse workplace? The University of Michigan's accelerated MA program in Transcultural Studies can help you develop the historical, theoretical, and practical knowledge you need to navigate forward-looking graduate education and career pathways in an increasingly cosmopolitan and interconnected world. Transcultural Studies uses approaches from across the Humanities and Social Sciences to foster a critical and historically informed understanding of human communication and interaction across perceived boundaries of culture, nationality, race, and religious identity.

This interdisciplinary program is intended to provide both advanced training and a capstone experience for current LSA undergraduates who anticipate pursuing a PhD or working in business or non-profit contexts where intercultural competency and a critical framework for thinking systematically about connections, comparisons, and translations among human communities will be desirable skills.

Why Apply?
* Earn a University of Michigan Master’s Degree on top of your BA with just one additional year of study following your senior year
* Begin taking graduate courses as a senior from any of eleven participating departments to fulfill program requirements
* Complete a thesis or other significant capstone project of your own design based on your major, your research interests, and your future career plans
* Incorporate internships and other experiential learning opportunities into a University of Michigan graduate degree program
* Be eligible for Rackham research grants and conference travel funding

Note that only University of Michigan undergraduate students currently enrolled in the College of Literature Science and the Arts at the University of Michigan are eligible to apply. Applications from outside the University of Michigan will not be accepted.

Winter 2025 Virtual Info Sessions
* Tuesday, February 18, 4 p.m.,
* Monday, February 24, 2 p.m.

Join us to learn more about Transcultural Studies, an interdisciplinary accelerated master's degree program designed to enable current undergraduate students in LSA to earn their MA degree with one additional year of study beyond their bachelor’s degree.

Website: https://lsa.umich.edu/transcultural/news-events/all-events.detail.html/131374-21868313.html

German Conversation Opportunities: "German Convo on the Go" (Tuesday, February 18, 4-5 p.m., Burton Tower), "Schokoladenstunde" (Wednesday, February 19, 3-4 p.m., MLB 3110), and "Kreativwerkstatt" (Friday, February 21, 1-2 p.m., MLB 3030)

We have three weekly and informal conversation opportunities for all students who want to speak German:

"German Convo on the Go" meets on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. sharp at Burton Tower for a 1-hour walk and talk with Mary Gell (magell@umich.edu). The event will take place rain or shine, snow or wind.

"Schokoladenstunde" convenes on Wednesdays at 3 p.m. in the German Department Lounge (MLB 3110.) There will be some German chocolate to snack on. Silvia Grzeskowiak (sgrzesko@umich.edu) will bring games, and the hour will be spent chatting and playing games in German (e.g. Tabu.)

"Kreativwerkstatt:" Chat in German and express yourself creatively. Crafting, coloring, painting, drawing, knitting, sewing, crochet, embroidery, origami? At the weekly German “Kreativwerkstatt,” which takes place on Fridays at 1 p.m., you will combine speaking German (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 questions about "Kreativwerkstatt" please contact Laura Okkema (lokkema@umich.edu) or Iris Zapf-Garcia (iriszaga@umich.edu.) Please note the new location. It is the Seminar Room in the Slavic Department.

German Club - "Stammtisch": Tuesday, February 18, 6-7 p.m., Michigan League Underground

The German Club will have its next "Stammtisch" on Tuesday, February 18, 6-7 p.m.! "Stammtisch" will be held in the basement of the Michigan League.

If you have any questions, please send them to Braidy (braidya@umich.edu).

'The Seed of the Sacred Fig' - Director: Mohammad Rasoulof, 2024 (Tuesday, February 18: 7 p.m., and Wednesday, February 19: 7:15 p.m.; State Theatre)

Shot entirely in secret, Mohammad Rasoulof’s award-winning thriller, 'The Seed of the Sacred Fig', centers on a family thrust into the public eye when Iman is appointed as an investigating judge in Tehran. As political unrest erupts in the streets, Iman realizes that his job is even more dangerous than expected, making him increasingly paranoid and distrustful, even of his own wife Najmeh and daughters Sana and Rezvan.

Presented in Persian with English subtitles.

The film is Germany's nomination for Best International Films at the Academy Awards.

Website: https://marquee-arts.org/event-page/?showingId=920421&eventId=917226

Max Kade Events - "Deutschtisch:" Wednesday, February 19, 6-7 p.m., North Quad Dining Hall; and "Kaffeestunde:" Friday, February 21, 5-6 p.m., North Quad - 3rd Floor (West Lounge)

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

Max Kade "Kaffeestunde" is a weekly opportunity to mingle and unwind "auf Deutsch". It is a place to connect with other Max Kade residents, chat informally in German and participate in activities prepared by facilitators. The "Kaffeestunde" is open to the wider German-speaking community at the University of Michigan. On Friday, February 21, "Kaffeestunde" will take place in the West Lounge, located on the 3rd floor of North Quad. A Kade member will wait outside of the residential entrance to North Quad to grant non-Kade members access.

German students at all levels (101 and up) are welcome at all Max Kade events.

If you have any questions, please ask Viola Tietje (vtietje@umich.edu) and Vera Irwin (veremeev@umich.edu.)

Rafael Balling, "Yentl the Yeshiva Boy and the Time of Yiddish Transness": Monday, February 24, 1-2:30 p.m., South Thayer Building 4000

Rafael Balling will address and let us discuss 20th century Jewish trans narratives in German and Yiddish, including Yentl the Yeshiva boy by Nobel Prize laureate Bashevis Zinger, a story that is best known through Barbra Streisand's 1983 movie.

Job Posting - Chaperone for Youth 4 German Cinema Program in San Francisco, CA: Wednesday, February 26 (Application Deadline)

The Goethe-Institut San Francisco is seeking a responsible chaperone for four high school students (ages 14–18) participating in the Youth 4 German Cinema program at the Berlin & Beyond Film Festival from March 27–30, 2025. Responsibilities include accompanying students to screenings, workshops, and events, as well as staying with them at a youth hostel. Applicants must be 25+, have a legal work permit, and experience working with youth. Compensation: Up to $1,500 + accommodations.

Website: https://www.goethe.de/ins/us/en/sta/sfr/ueb/kar/bbc.html

Max Kade Haus 2025-2026: Thursday, February 27 (Application Deadline)

The Max Kade Haus is still hoping to fill out a couple of remaining male spaces for 2025-2026. These spaces are in the double rooms, and the applications are welcome!

As a Max Kade student, you'll further develop your speaking skills by participating in the 1-credit German 310/German 312 course and become eligible to apply for a subsidized spring break trip to Vienna.

Apply soon! If you already have a housing contract for 2025-26, adjusting it to join Max Kade Haus is just a formality upon acceptance.

For more information and to access the application, please visit https://lsa.umich.edu/german/undergraduate-students/max-kade-german-residence.html.

If you have any questions, please email maxkade@umich.edu.

Job Posting - German Language Summer Camp Counselor for Concordia Language Villages in Bemidji, MN: Thursday, February 27 (Application Deadline)

Responsibilities:
* Speak the target language with children (“villagers”) and other staff members as much as possible
* Teach language through activities (art, sports, traditional culture) and interactive lessons
* Participate in all aspects of Village life, including meals, song times, evening programs, cultural presentations and staff meetings.
* Lead games, Cabin Council and other activities to create a cabin community.
* Live in a cabin with villagers, as part of a counseling team, to provide supervision.
* Assist with light cleaning of the Village site (including cabins, bathrooms, activity areas, etc.) with villagers and counseling team to ensure a safe, hygienic space for everyone.
* Be a positive role model for desired behaviors among villagers, including use of target language.

Requirements:
* Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively
* Demonstrates maturity & good judgment
* Enjoys interacting with and managing children
* Demonstrated flexibility in adapting to changing situations

Minimum Qualifications:
* At least 18 years of age
* Completed two years of language study or have equivalent fluency
* Broad knowledge of the culture and activities of the language.

Preferred Qualifications:
* One year experience working with children
* Previous attendance or work experience at Concordia Language Villages or another summer camp

Schedule:
* General Employment Period: June - August
* General Work Schedule (days of week): Up to seven days per week
* General shift hours: 14 – 16 hours per day, plus overnight residential supervision responsibilities

Perks:
* Minimum Salary: Starting at $325 per week
* Free Meals
* Free Lodging
* Paid, on-the-job training
* Tuition Discount for your child at camp
* J-1 Exchange Visitor visa sponsorship for international applicants (Must be at least 18 years old)

If you’d like more information on this job posting, please contact clvhr@cord.edu.

Website: https://hr.cord.edu/postings/11696

International Internships with Sage Corps: Saturday, 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
* Dublin
* Lisbon
* Madrid
* Milan
* Paris
* Sydney

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

To defray costs, students who are applying to internship programs in Berlin through the Sage Corps Program (CGIS) are strongly encouraged to also apply for Departmental and LSA scholarships. The department may support up to $3,500 for individual students.

Please fill out this form when you apply for departmental funding.

Internship Posting - Summer 2025 Internship with Michigan Library Scholars: Friday, March 7 (Application Deadline)

Michigan Library Scholars is a paid summer library internship designed to allow undergraduate students to gain real-world professional experience, as they collaborate with library mentors to complete one of several library projects with a global or international focus.

Please visit the following page for description of this year’s projects and information on how to apply: https://www.lib.umich.edu/about-us/work-us/jobs-students/michigan-library-scholars

To learn more about this exciting opportunity, visit lib.umich.edu/michigan-library-scholars.

Questions? Contact Gabriel Duque at gduque@umich.edu

German Film Series - 'Sonne' - Director: Kurdwin Ayub, 2022: Monday, March 10, 6:30 p.m., North Quad Space 2435

Three teenage girls from Vienna twerk in hijab and sing a pop song. A YouTube video of it makes them famous overnight, especially among Kurdish Muslims. Yesmin, the only one of the friends who is Kurdish herself, begins to distance herself more and more from her culture. Nati and Bella, on the other hand, seem fascinated by a world that is strange to them. A film about young people caught between social media and self-discovery, a story of rebellious young women. (Austrian Films.)

Food will be available at 6 p.m. The screening of the film will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Website: https://events.umich.edu/event/131566

Goethe Institut Language Courses Spring/Summer 2025 - Mass Meeting: Sunday, March 16, 4:30 p.m., Mason Hall 1427

Students who are going to take language courses at a Goethe Institut in Germany are invited to attend a mass meeting.

You will learn about the possibility to earn transfer credits and meet other students who will be at your Goethe location.

We will then break up in separate rooms where former participants from other Goethe Institut locations (Dresden, Freiburg, Schwäbisch Hall) will tell you about their experience and where you can ask questions about logistics like placement test, courses, accommodations, food, travels, etc.

For German majors and minors, departmental funding is available. The application deadline for funding is Tuesday, April 1, and no late applications can be accepted.

MEMS Special Lecture - Cordelia Hess (University of Gothenburg), "Colonial Contact Zones and Constructions of Race in Greenland and Sapmi, 900-1500": Tuesday, March 18, 4-5:30 p.m., 1014 Tisch Hall

The question when modern racism originated has been a matter of fierce debate among medievalists in recent years. And even though racism and colonialism are closely linked in the modern era, the beginnings of colonialism have so far been neglected in this context. This talk will therefore examine Greenland and Fennoscandia before 1500 when, on the margins of Europe, the Inuit and Sámi became targets of aggressive colonization and assimilation policies during medieval times. These case studies explore colonialism as a failed project (Greenland) as well as colonialism without a moment zero (Sápmi). "Colonial Contact Zones and Constructions of Race" thus challenges current narratives in regards to the development of race and racism in the European Middle Ages.

Website: https://lsa.umich.edu/german/news-events/all-events.detail.html/132567-21871263.html

German Department Funding for Spring/Summer Language Courses at a Goethe Institut in Germany: Tuesday, April 1 (Application Deadline)

If you are taking spring/summer classes at a Goethe Institut in Germany, you can apply for a scholarship from the German Department.

The application deadline for funding through us is Tuesday, April 1. Here is the funding application link.

You will be informed later in April, how much funding you will get through the German Department; and you will then need to complete several items (uploading passport photo, GeoBlue health insurance, etc.) on MCompass.

All applications will only be reviewed after April 1, and the funding itself will be disbursed in either Spring or Summer.

German Department Funding for Summer Internships in a German-Speaking Country: Tuesday, April 1 (Application Deadline)

Awards for internships in Germany and German-speaking countries are distributed on a competitive level based on financial need, academic merit and (possible) compensation of the internship. You do not need to have a confirmed internship placement at the time of application but need to be accepted into an internship program. International students are eligible to apply. Departmental internships may amount up to $3,500.

The application deadline for funding through us is Tuesday, April 1. Here is the funding application link.

You will be informed later in April how much funding you will get through the German Department; and you will then have two weeks to complete all items (uploading passport photo, GeoBlue health insurance, etc.) on MCompass.

All applications will only be reviewed after April 1, and the funding itself will be disbursed in either Spring or Summer.

DAAD-RISE students are not eligible to receive funding through this scholarship.

Heinz Prechter Scholarship for Internships in Germany: Tuesday, April 1 (Application Deadline)

The $2,500 Heinz Prechter Scholarship aims to support a Michigan student completing an internship in Germany to encourage learning about German business and culture.

College and university professors conducting study projects directed at introducing a group of students to Germany, its culture, language, business environment and network, are also encouraged to apply.

Sponsored by the German American Business Council of Michigan (GABC), the Scholarship is named after Heinz Prechter to honor the unparalleled contributions he made to the advancement of international relations between Germany and Michigan.

Application Requirements:
* Letter of Application: description of the applicant’s qualifications including academic background, relevant employment history, and a statement indicating why the applicant wants to in Germany
* Resume: include academic background, employment history, special interests, accomplishments and awards, and international travel
* Offer-of-Internship Letter: written in German or English, on the company’s letterhead and signed by an appropriate company official
* Letters of Recommendation: letters of recommendation from at least two faculty members who teach in the applicant’s fields of study.
* Course Transcripts: comprehensive academic transcripts of all semesters completed at institutions of higher education

Notes for Applicants:
* Applicants must complete video/phone interview with the scholarship committee. Part of the interview will be conducted in German to assess the applicant’s basic conversational skills in the language.
* Scholarship recipients must agree to submit to the GABC a written report of their internships and (if schedule permits) to give an oral presentation on the internship at a GABC event.
* Submit completed application and supporting documentation by Tuesday, April 1.

Website: https://gabcmi.org/hps

Contact Anna Swartz at aswartz@gabcmi.org for further details.

The committee will make rolling decisions. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, once they have received an actual internship offer.