Description

This is the list of messages related to German at the University of Michigan. You generally receive these messages on Tuesday via email, and you will see them posted on Canvas (German Advising Mail at University of Michigan). If you have any questions, please see the German Department advisors Kalli and Mary Rodena-Krasan.


Tuesday, April 7, 2026

German Advising Contact Information With Office Hours From Tuesday, April 7 - Wednesday, April 15

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, April 7: 10-4:30 p.m.,
Thursday, April 9: 10-4:30 p.m.,
Tuesday, April 14: 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, April 7: 9-1:30, 2:30-5 p.m.,
Wednesday, April 8: 1-2, 3-4 p.m.,
Monday, April 13: 1-5 p.m.,
Tuesday, April 14: 9-12, 1-5 p.m.,
Wednesday, April 15: 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, April 7, 10-11 a.m., MLB 3110; and Kreativwerkstatt: Friday, April 10, 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.

Winter 2027 Term in Tübingen - Information Session: Wednesday, April 8, 4:30 p.m., MLB 3308 - Conference Room, Middle Aisle

If you are interested in the Winter 2027 term in Tübingen, you are invited to come to an information session on Wednesday, April 8, 4:30 p.m., MLB 3308 (Conference Room, Middle Aisle).

A student who participated in the program in Winter 2025 will give insights about their experience abroad.

Max Kade Events - 'Deutschtisch': Wednesday, April 8, 6-7 p.m., North Quad Dining Hall, and 'Kaffeestunde': Friday, April 10, 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 German/Swiss/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.

Job Posting - Marketing and Media Assistant for Departments of Germanic Languages & Literatures and Slavic Languages & Literatures: Monday, April 13 (Application Deadline)

The departments of Germanic Languages & Literatures and Slavic Languages & Literatures seek a Marketing and Media Assistant to assist us with designing posters and publicity materials and other related tasks.

Candidates should have some graphic design experience.

The start date could be immediate depending upon the selected candidate's availability, with a firm start date of August 17, 2026. We hope that the selected candidate is seeking part-time work for the full academic year.

Duties & Responsibilities:
* Under direction of the CA or Marketing and Communications Specialist, design and create flyers, posters, digital signage, event programs, and other required event and publicity materials, ensuring design meets accessibility requirements.
* Under direction from faculty or staff, utilize social media platforms to publicize departmental events, activities, and programs.
* Assist in the design and layout of departmental newsletters.
* Follow all U-M, LSA and departmental brand guidelines in the development of print materials.
* Design logos and other graphic identifiers as needed for specific events and programs.
* Assist with internal and external events as directed by supervisor.

Required Qualifications:
* Must be a current student at the University of Michigan.
* Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, and general computing and typing skills required.
* Experience with Adobe Suite (particularly Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Adobe Experience Manager), HTML, Canva, and MailChimp desired.
* Students should be creative, innovative, and willing to learn new technical skills.
* Good time management, strong oral and written skills, and ability to work independently are also essential for this role.

Educational Value:
* Gain experience working in a collaborative, dynamic, and fast-paced office environment
* Learn about mass communication and marketing strategies for faculty and student populations in higher education
* Become proficient in various programs such as Adobe Experience Manager, Google Suite, HTML, Canva, and MailChimp.

Hours: 5-10 hours per week
Hourly Rate: $15.00/hour
Time Frame: Fall/Winter/Spring/Summer

Contact: Jessica Randolph (jrand@umich.edu)

Website: https://studentemployment.umich.edu/jobxJobdetailPrint.aspx?JobId=74952&win=True

Job Posting - Director of Administration for Goethe-Institut Boston: Monday, April 13 (Application Deadline)

Full-time (40 hours/week) | Start date: June 1, 2026

The Goethe-Institut Boston will become the Regional Institute for North America as of January 1, 2027. It is seeking a dedicated colleague to lead its Administration Department, starting June 1, 2026.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
* Financial management (financial planning and controlling, payment transactions, forecasting, monthly and annual financial statements, overseeing financial accounting)
* Responsibility for the building, service and contract management
* Oversight of security matters, including building security and emergency response procedures
* Investment planning and procurement, including purchasing of goods and services
* General administrative tasks
* Supporting quality and integrity management (compliance) and contributing to organizational change processes
* Monitoring compliance with budgetary and public procurement regulations
* Personnel administration and leadership of the administration team
* Support change management activities for new processes, policies, and systems

Requirements:
* Proficiency in accounting, budget planning and controlling
* Proven experience in leading teams and managing staff
* Advanced proficiency in Microsoft 365 tools
* High level of flexibility, resilience, social competence, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team
* Excellent organizational and communication skills
* Strong decision‑making skills and a hands‑on, solution‑oriented approach
* Ability and willingness to work outside of standard business hours when necessary to support operational needs
* Excellent German and English language skills
* A valid work permit for the US is required. Unfortunately, the Goethe-Institut cannot provide any assistance in obtaining a work permit or visa

Benefits:
* Regular opportunities for professional development
* An intercultural and collaborative work environment
* Flexible work schedule
* Annual Leave 17 days (22 after 3 years) plus 13 paid holidays and 3 personal days per year
* Paid sick time
* Health and dental insurance for full-time employees (75% of costs are covered by the Goethe-Institut)
* 401(k) option with 4.5% employer match (after 6-month period of continuous employment)
* Paid parental and pregnancy leave
* Short-term disability insurance for full-time employees (100% covered by the Goethe-Institut)

Please submit your complete application (cover letter, résumé and the names and contact information of two references) by e-mail until April 13, 2026 to: hr-usa@goethe.de.

Website: https://www.goethe.de/ins/us/en/ueb/kar/boston-director-of-administra.html

Job Posting - Administrative Assistant for Bosch Group in Farmington Hills, MI: Tuesday, April 14 (Application Deadline)

Bosch Group is seeking an autonomous, proactive, and detail-oriented Administrative Assistant. This is more than a traditional administrative role; you will be a trusted partner to a team of Directors and the Regional President, empowered to drive efficiency with significant independence.

Your role is critical to the operational success of the BEG-NA Business Unit. Bosch Group is looking for a forward-thinker who doesn't just follow a process but actively helps to refine it. You will be counted on to deliver accurate and polished work, manage sensitive information with discretion, and act as a central pillar of support for the business unit, enabling the leadership team to focus on strategic priorities.

Key Responsibilities:
* Serve as a key partner for managing and optimizing complex calendars, anticipating needs, and independently resolving scheduling conflicts.
* Act as a professional gatekeeper and primary point of contact for external customers, internal stakeholders, and global Bosch leadership.
* Take ownership of coordinating seamless domestic and international travel itineraries, ensuring all details are meticulously planned.
* Manage the preparation and submission of expense reports, purchase orders, budget auditing, and invoice processing, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
* Uphold and enhance our business standards by refining and formatting critical documents, including board-level presentations and spreadsheets, ensuring they are clear and professional.
* Organize board visits, customer meetings, and internal events (like Town Halls), contributing suggestions to improve the experience.
* Independently manage office logistics, from supplies and equipment to catering, ensuring the team has what it needs to succeed.
* Embrace a growth mindset by being open to supporting ad-hoc projects, learning new skills, and contributing to the continuous improvement of the administrative processes.

Requirements:
- Required:
* A strong sense of personal accountability and a focus on the details.
* Minimum 2 years of administrative support experience where you were trusted to work with significant autonomy.
* Proficiency in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem (SharePoint, Teams, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
* Excellent time management skills, with a demonstrated ability to discern between urgent and important tasks.
* Strong communication skills, with the ability to articulate ideas and contribute in both verbal and written form.
* Proven integrity and the ability to handle confidential information with professionalism.

- Preferred:
* Bachelor's Degree.
* 5+ years of administrative support experience, ideally in a large, global organization.
* 3+ years of direct, executive-level support experience.
* An interest in leveraging modern tools; comfort with AI productivity tools is a plus.
* German language skills (written and verbal).

Website: https://jobs.bosch.com/en/job/REF279662X-administrative-assistant

Job Posting - Social Media and Public Relations Associate for Goethe-Institut San Francisco, CA: Wednesday, April 15 (Application Deadline)

Part-time (32 hours/week) | Start date: May 15, 2026

Responsibilities:
* Create and manage social media strategies that align with the Institute's goals and objectives
* Develop engaging content, including text, images, and videos, tailored to the target audience across various platforms such as Instagram, and LinkedIn
* Monitor social media metrics, analyze performance data, and prepare reports to assess the effectiveness of campaigns and strategies
* Content communication, marketing and cooperation with partners on Goethe-Institut topics and projects on website and other online platforms / electronic newsletter as well as print products
* Build and maintain strong relationships with key journalists
* Active participation in the regional Information team activities/events
* General administrative tasks

Requirements:
* Professional experience in the field of social media and public relations 
* Experience in CMS (Content)
* Excellent written, oral language and communication skills in both English and German
* Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office, image and design tools) 
* Very high social and intercultural competencies
* 32 hours per week/hybrid works schedule, with 2 days on-site presence. Event related changes to work schedule possible including weekends, evenings. Due to the nature of this specific position different days of the week might be required (ahead notice by manager).
* Team player, proactive, solution-oriented

Benefits:

* Start Date: May 15, 2026
* Employment: 80% (32h/week), non-exempt, hourly based
* Generous vacation time, health insurance and 401(k)
* Approx. USD 60 k/year (Salary based on local compensation standards of the Goethe-Institut in the USA)
* Enthusiastic, highly professional and motivated team
* Modern workspace in new Goethe-Institut location, with excellent connection to public transportation
* Regular opportunity for professional development online/ in Germany

Applications will be accepted until April 15. The Goethe-Institut guarantees gender equality.
A valid work permit for the US is required. Unfortunately, the Goethe-Institut cannot provide any assistance in obtaining a work permit or visa.

Please submit your complete application (cover letter, résumé and the names and contact information of two references) by e-mail to Alexander Behrmann, Director Goethe-Institut San Francisco: bewerbungen-sanfrancisco@goethe.de

Contact:
Goethe-Institut San Francisco
657 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA 94105

Phone: 415-263-8760
Email: info-sanfrancisco@goethe.de

Website: https://www.goethe.de/ins/us/en/ueb/kar/san-social-media-and-pub-3.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).

German Peer Mentors 2026-2027: Friday, April 17 (Application Deadline)

German majors and minors who have attained junior/senior standing by August 2026 and who are interested in sharing their experience with German to help their fellow undergraduates should apply.

If you are interested in becoming a peer mentor, please apply by Friday, April 17.

Mary or I are able to answer your questions.

Heinz Prechter Scholarship for Internships in Germany: Thursday, April 30 (Extended 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 a 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 Thursday, April 30.

Contact Anna Swartz at info@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.

Website: https://gabcmi.org/hps

International Internship Scholarship Through College of Engineering: Friday, May 1 (Application Deadline)

Want to explore new and diverse cultures while gaining valuable engineering experience? The College of Engineering (CoE) is excited to offer financial support in the form of scholarships to students participating in international internships.

Awards between $1,000-$3,000 will be made to CoE undergraduates pursuing international internships during the spring/summer term.

The scholarship is designed to benefit those who would otherwise face financial barriers to participation and is open to students pursuing in-person, paid or unpaid, international internships (for credit or not for credit).

Website: https://mcompass.umich.edu/_portal/tds-program-brochure?programid=10413

Fulbright U.S. Student Program: Sunday, August 30 (Campus Deadline)

The Institute of International Education (IIE), on behalf of the U.S. State Department, administers the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, which offers research, study, and teaching opportunities in over 140 countries to recent graduates and graduate students. This competition is administered on campus by the International Institute.

In 2025-2026, the University of Michigan was a "top producer" of finalists for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.

Website: https://ii.umich.edu/ii/funding/fulbright-program/fulbright-us-student.html

Study Abroad in Germany - Winter 2027 in Tübingen: Tuesday, September 15 (Application Deadline)

The Tübingen program, which is organized through the Center for Global and Intercultural Studies (CGIS), takes place in the Winter term, and it is intended for students who have completed at least German 221/231 by the end of the Fall 2026 term. The German Department strongly recommends that you precede your stay in Tübingen by attending one or two three-week sessions at the Goethe Institut.

This Goethe Institut segment is not part of the CGIS program itself. Please talk with Mary or me about the Goethe segment.

The CGIS portion in Tübingen will start early in March with a mandatory 'Startkurs' (up to 6 credits). While you will be enrolled for the Winter 2027 term at the University of Michigan, you will then take classes during the 'Sommersemester' at the Universität Tübingen (mid April - late July). You will earn 15-18 credits for Winter 2027: the courses that you take in Tübingen can be language courses for international students or regular university courses.

Various university courses outside the English Department are taught in English. Tübingen credits can be used to satisfy degree requirements for a German major or minor.

For more information about the Tübingen program and to apply, use this link: https://mcompass.umich.edu/_portal/tds-program-brochure?programid=10248